How to Pronounce "there will be the devil to pay"
expression
THAIR wil bee thuh DEV-uhl tuh PAY
THAIR wil bee thuh DEV-uhl too PAY
Definition
This expression means that there will be serious trouble or consequences, usually as a result of someone’s actions or a mistake.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈðɛɹ/ /ˈwɪɫ/, /wəɫ/ /ˈbi/, /bi/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈdɛvəɫ/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈpeɪ
British English
ðˈeə/ /wˈɪl/ /bˈiː/ /ðə, ði/ /dˈɛvəl/ /tˈuː/ /pˈeɪ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
THAIR wil bee thuh DEV-uhl tuh PAY
UK
THAIR wil bee thuh DEV-uhl too PAY
Listen in Context
If you break that window, there will be the devil to pay.
If we are late again, there will be the devil to pay at work.
She warned me that there will be the devil to pay if I don’t finish my homework.
If you tell Dad about this, there will be the devil to pay.