Search
Select the dictionary language
to put paid to something
01
to make something end, particularly by ruining what was planned
Dialect
British
British
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "put paid to something" and when to use it?
The idiom "put paid to something" has its origins in accounting and bookkeeping practices, specifically in the sense of marking a bill as paid, indicating that a financial obligation has been settled. Over time, the expression extended to signify putting an end to something, such as an idea, plan, or expectation, in a definitive and irrevocable manner, similar to the finality of settling a debt.
Examples
The unexpected rainstorm put paid to our beach vacation plans.
The economic downturn has put paid to the company's ambitious expansion strategy.
