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to owe
01
to have the responsibility of paying someone back a certain amount of money that was borrowed
Ditransitive: to owe sb a sum of money | to owe a sum of money to sb
Examples
I owe my friend $ 50 from last month when he covered my dinner expenses.
She realizes she owes her sister a significant sum after borrowing money for car repairs.
02
to carry a sense of gratitude, recognition, or indebtedness toward someone or something for intellectual or abstract contributions
Ditransitive: to owe an abstract achievement or quality to sb/sth
Examples
I owe my clarity of thought to the insightful teachings of my philosophy professor.
The community owes a debt of appreciation to the pioneers who laid the foundation for its values.
03
to be under an obligation to repay something, typically money, to a person, entity, or organization for something they have done
Transitive: to owe sb for a service
Examples
The company owes its suppliers for the raw materials received.
After the vacation, I realized I owe my friend for covering my share of the hotel expenses.
