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
In hopes to boost dinner-hour traffic downtown, Orlando officials are planning to pick up the tab on some parking expenses.
—
Ryan Gillespie, Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2023
The Environmental Protection Agency is demanding the rail company responsible clean contaminated water and soil, and pick up the tab on all cleanup expenses.
—Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 21 Feb. 2023
Kerwin Olson, executive director of consumer advocate group Citizens Action Coalition, said utility customers should not be expected to pick up the tab for replacement power when a plant goes offline.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Nov. 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
See All Example Sentences for pick up the tab
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Ryan Gillespie, Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2023
The Environmental Protection Agency is demanding the rail company responsible clean contaminated water and soil, and pick up the tab on all cleanup expenses.
—Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 21 Feb. 2023
Kerwin Olson, executive director of consumer advocate group Citizens Action Coalition, said utility customers should not be expected to pick up the tab for replacement power when a plant goes offline.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Nov. 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
See All Example Sentences for 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 29 Sep. 2025.
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