piper

[pahy-per] /ˈpaɪ pər/
noun
1.
a person who plays on a pipe.
2.
a bagpiper.
Idioms
3.
pay the piper,
  1. to pay the cost of something.
  2. to bear the unfavorable consequences of one's actions or pleasures:
    Someday he'll have to pay the piper for all that gambling.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English; Old English pīpere. See pipe1, -er1
British Dictionary definitions for pay the piper

piper

/ˈpaɪpə/
noun
1.
a person who plays a pipe or bagpipes
2.
pay the piper and call the tune, to bear the cost of an undertaking and control it

Piper

/ˈpaɪpə/
noun
1.
John. 1903–92, British artist. An official war artist in World War II, he is known esp for his watercolours of bombed churches and his stained glass in Coventry Cathedral
Word Origin and History for pay the piper

piper

n.

Old English pipere, agent noun from pipe (v.). As a kind of fish, from c.1600. Expression pay the piper recorded from 1680s.

pay the piper in Culture

pay the piper definition


To pay the consequences for self-indulgent behavior: “If you stay up late at night to watch TV, in the morning you will have to pay the piper.”

Idioms and Phrases with pay the piper

pay the piper

see under call the tune

piper

see: call the tune (pay the piper)