pick up the tab
idiom
US, informal
: to pay a bill (such as for a meal or drinks at a bar)
She offered to pick up the tab for the meal.
Examples of pick up the tab in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After Bowser’s answer, however, Brennan questioned whether local and national taxpayers would be forced to pick up the tab for these migrants.
—
Lindsay Kornick, Fox News, 18 July 2022
Metroparks will seek other sources, such as donations, for the property, but will pick up the tab for any remaining costs, according to agenda notes from the district’s September meeting.
—Robert Higgs, cleveland, 31 Oct. 2022
But like many emergency surgeons, Haller shuns most health insurance contracts and puts the onus on patients to pick up the tab.
—Bob Herman, STAT, 29 Apr. 2022
Local, county and nonprofit hospitals typically then pick up the tab for these patients.
—Michael Taylor, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Sep. 2021
See all Example Sentences for pick up the tab 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Lindsay Kornick, Fox News, 18 July 2022
Metroparks will seek other sources, such as donations, for the property, but will pick up the tab for any remaining costs, according to agenda notes from the district’s September meeting.
—Robert Higgs, cleveland, 31 Oct. 2022
But like many emergency surgeons, Haller shuns most health insurance contracts and puts the onus on patients to pick up the tab.
—Bob Herman, STAT, 29 Apr. 2022
Local, county and nonprofit hospitals typically then pick up the tab for these patients.
—Michael Taylor, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Sep. 2021
See all Example Sentences for pick up the tab
Dictionary Entries Near pick up the tab
Cite this Entry
“Pick up the tab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pick%20up%20the%20tab. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share