pay for itself
idiom
: to save as much money over a period of time as something costs initially
windows that pay for themselves within five years by saving on heating costs
Examples of pay for itself in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Others highlight that even the standard membership can pay for itself through gas savings alone.
—
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
Deciding to build a water park, instead of a regular city pool, was actually an attempt to make this community asset pay for itself.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
For example, engineering calculations might show that spending $1,000 on better insulation, more efficient appliances, or a higher-MPG vehicle would pay for itself in a few years through lower utility or fuel bills.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
With just that perk, the card could pay for itself within a trip or two for a family.
—Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay for itself
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Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
Deciding to build a water park, instead of a regular city pool, was actually an attempt to make this community asset pay for itself.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
For example, engineering calculations might show that spending $1,000 on better insulation, more efficient appliances, or a higher-MPG vehicle would pay for itself in a few years through lower utility or fuel bills.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
With just that perk, the card could pay for itself within a trip or two for a family.
—Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pay for itself
Cite this Entry
“Pay for itself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pay%20for%20itself. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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