There's the devil to pay.
“There's the devil to pay.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The phrase “the devil to pay” denotes a serious consequence or price to be settled, originating from nautical and later used to describe war hardships.
In simple terms: It means a costly consequence.
Key Takeaway
Prepare for consequences.
Themes
history
language
consequence
war
idiom
Mood
serious
thoughtful
Type
idiom
historical
When to use this quote
- legal settlements
- military planning
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
etymology
military history
financial burden
Questions to Reflect On
- What “devil” are you paying?
- How can you mitigate costly outcomes?
A Different Perspective
May be misinterpreted as literal devil.