Pay the Price
Pay the Price - To obtain one thing by sacrificing another that holds value. The idea is ancient, but this expression started gaining popularity in the late nineteenth century. President Woodrow Wilson eloquently articulated it in a 1916 speech: “There is a price which is too great to pay for peace, and that price can be put in one word: One cannot pay the price of self-respect.”
🛠️ Related Terms and Synonyms
- Bite the Bullet: To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.
- Foot the Bill: To pay for something, often reluctantly.
- Bear the Cost: To assume financial or personal responsibility.
- Take the Hit: To suffer the consequences or penalties.
- Count the Cost: To consider the consequences before acting.
💔 Antonyms
- Get for Free: To receive something without any effort or cost.
- Reap the Rewards Without Sacrifice: To enjoy benefits without exerting oneself.
😄 Humor-filled Quotes
- “I wanted patience—and I wanted it NOW!” - Anonymous
- “I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places.” - Henny Youngman
📚 Literature, songs, and movies
- Book: The Art of War by Sun Tzu, which delves into strategic sacrifices in warfare.
- Song: “The Cost of Living” by Don Henley, touching on life’s sacrifices.
- Movie: Schindler’s List, which portrays immense sacrifices during World War II.
- Poetry: If— by Rudyard Kipling, capturing the essence of sacrifice for self-respect and gains.
🌟 Inspirational Proverb
- “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”
### Which of these idioms means to endure a difficult situation with bravery?
- [ ] Pay the piper
- [x] Bite the bullet
- [ ] Take a rain check
- [ ] Have your cake and eat it too
> **Explanation:** "Bite the bullet" means enduring a tough situation with courage, synonymous with "pay the price" for dealing with difficulties head-on.
### True or False: The idiom "pay the price" implies a trade-off where something valuable is exchanged.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Yes, "pay the price" implies a trade-off where something valuable is given up to gain something else, often a higher prize.
### Select the phrase that indicates facing the consequences:
- [ ] Easy come, easy go
- [ ] The grass is always greener
- [ ] Out of the frying pan, into the fire
- [x] Bear the cost
> **Explanation:** "Bear the cost" relates to shouldering the consequences or financial burden, akin to "paying the price."
### Which phrase means receiving something at no cost?
- [x] Get for free
- [ ] Count the cost
- [ ] Bite the bullet
- [ ] Pay the price
> **Explanation:** "Get for free" means receiving something without any payment or sacrifice, contrary to "pay the price."
### True or False: "Foot the bill" is synonymous with "pay the price."
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** "Foot the bill" means to pay for something, often reluctantly, making it synonymous with "pay the price" in certain contexts.
In the end, remember: every action incurs a cost, whether tangible or intangible. The true art lies in knowing what is worth sacrificing. Always tread thoughtfully, for the steps you take today define your path tomorrow.
Happy learning!
- Lydia Lexicon
