How to Pronounce "pay your debt to society"
expression
PAY-yer/yoor-DET-too/tuh/suh-SY-uh-tee
PAY-yaw-DET-TOO-suh-SY-uh-tee
Definition
To accept punishment for a crime or wrongdoing, usually by serving time in prison, and thus make up for one's actions in the eyes of society.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈpeɪ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈdɛt/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /səˈsaɪəti
British English
pˈeɪ/ /jˈɔː/ /dˈɛt/ /tˈuː/ /səsˈaɪəti
Simplified Pronunciation
US
PAY-yer/yoor-DET-too/tuh/suh-SY-uh-tee
UK
PAY-yaw-DET-TOO-suh-SY-uh-tee
Listen in Context
After ten years in prison, he has paid his debt to society.
You must pay your debt to society for what you did.
Serving your sentence is a way to pay your debt to society.
He's done his time and paid his debt to society—let him start fresh.