pay your dues

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

to endure hard, unglamorous work early on as the price of later success

Why this phrase?

Early effort and hardship are pictured as obligations that must be paid before later rewards are earned.

Example

“She paid her dues in support before getting to build the product.”

Dictionary details

Component words

pay due

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

due diligence Neutral · CEFR C1

the careful investigation of a company's business, finances, and legal position before investing

pay the piper Neutral · CEFR C1

to deal with the price or consequences created by your earlier choices

cut your teeth on Informal · CEFR C1

to gain your first experience of something, usually early in your career

give someone a run for their money Neutral · CEFR B1

to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory

go the extra mile Neutral · CEFR B1

To make more effort than is expected or required.

hang in there Informal · CEFR B1

to persevere and not give up despite difficulty

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

markdown