Definition

Noun Phrase A situation involving severe trouble, punishment, or very angry reactions that must be faced as a result of something that has been done. It implies there will be serious negative consequences.

Usage

This phrase is used to warn of or describe the inevitable and severe repercussions of an action. It is almost always used with the verb "to be" in constructions like "There will be hell to pay" or "There was hell to pay." It suggests a reckoning is coming.

Examples

• If the boss finds out you lost the contract, there will be hell to pay.
• When she discovered the broken vase, there was hell to pay.
• You'd better finish that report on time, or there'll be hell to pay.

Advanced Usage

The phrase can be modified slightly while retaining its core meaning. For instance, one might specify who will face the consequences: "There will be hell for him to pay." It is a fixed expression, so the word order ("hell to pay") is not typically changed.

Variants and Related Words

• Pay the price: (Verb phrase) To suffer the consequences of one's actions. This is a more standard and less idiomatic way to express a similar idea.
  • He paid the price for his careless mistake.

Synonyms

• Dire consequences
• Severe repercussions
• Big trouble
• A heavy price

Related Idioms

• All hell broke loose: (Idiom) Describes the moment when a chaotic or violent situation erupts. This idiom describes the chaotic consequence itself, while "hell to pay" refers to the impending or resulting punishment.
  • When the alarm sounded, all hell broke loose.
• Face the music: (Idiom) To accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
  • He knew he had to go home and face the music.

Noun

1. dire consequences
   • when the pig ran away there was hell to pay