The Devil To Pay

Pronunciation: /ðə ˈdɛvəl tu peɪ/

Definitions of the devil to pay

noun a figure of speech meaning trouble or consequences

Example Sentences

A1 When the children broke the window, there was the devil to pay.

A2 After forgetting to do his homework, there was the devil to pay with his teacher.

B1 When the company's financial report was leaked, there was the devil to pay.

B2 The politician's scandal caused the devil to pay in the upcoming election.

C1 The CEO's decision to cut employee benefits resulted in the devil to pay with the workforce.

C2 The controversial policy change led to the devil to pay within the organization.

preposition used before 'pay' to show the relationship between 'the devil' and 'to pay'

Example Sentences

A1 She forgot her homework at home and now there's the devil to pay.

A2 When the boss found out about the mistake, there was the devil to pay.

B1 After missing the deadline, there will be the devil to pay.

B2 If the project fails, there will be the devil to pay.

C1 The company's unethical practices finally came to light, and there was the devil to pay.

C2 The scandal rocked the political world, and there was the devil to pay for those involved.

Examples of the devil to pay in a Sentence

formal There will be the devil to pay if you do not complete the project on time.

informal If you don't finish your homework, there will be the devil to pay.

slang If you skip out on your shift again, there will be the devil to pay.

figurative When she found out about the broken vase, there was the devil to pay.

Grammatical Forms of the devil to pay

• past tense: had the devil to pay
• plural: devils to pay
• comparative: more devil to pay
• superlative: most devil to pay
• present tense: has the devil to pay
• future tense: will have the devil to pay
• perfect tense: have had the devil to pay
• continuous tense: is having the devil to pay
• singular: the devil to pay
• positive degree: the devil to pay
• infinitive: to have the devil to pay
• gerund: having the devil to pay
• participle: having had the devil to pay

Origin and Evolution of the devil to pay

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The phrase 'the devil to pay' is believed to have originated from nautical terminology. 'The devil' referred to the longest seam on a ship's hull, which was difficult to access and required a lot of effort to seal. 'To pay' meant to cover or seal with pitch or tar.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the phrase 'the devil to pay' shifted from its literal nautical meaning to signify a situation where there will be trouble or consequences to deal with. It evolved to convey a sense of impending difficulty or chaos.