Search
to foot the bill
01
to accept the financial burden or responsibility for a certain project, service, or event, and pay for it
What is the origin of the idiom "foot the bill" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "foot the bill" is not entirely clear, but it likely comes from the world of accounting and finance. In this context, "foot" means to add up or calculate the total. It is used to describe the action of paying for something, especially when the cost is significant or burdensome.
Example
The company decided to foot the bill for the team's travel expenses to attend the conference.
The government agreed to foot the bill for the construction of the new public park.
The parents generously offered to foot the bill for their children's college education.
Nearby Words