the devil to pay

Meaning

1. Oxford100% of films

   a lot of trouble

   One day you'd find yourself in trouble, and there'd be hell to pay just figuring out who.

   There'll be hell to pay.

In the movies · 4

• One day you'd find yourself in trouble, and there'd be hell to pay just figuring out who.How the West Was Won1962
• This hydrant better not come back on again, or there's going to be hell to pay!Do the Right Thing1989
• There'll be hell to pay.No Way Out1987

Learn it in full scenes

• Do the Right Thing1989
  • Love Daddy Wakes the Block
  • Morning Shift at Sal's Pizzeria
  • Da Mayor Sweeps and Gets Scolded

From the same entry

• he who pays the piper calls the tune
• pay court to
• pay dividends
• pay for itself
• pay good money for
• pay its way
• pay the penalty
• pay your respects
• pay through the nose
• pay your way
• you pays your money and you takes your choice
• cost an arm and a leg