- To pay the total amount for something, especially something enjoyed by or benefiting others as well; to cover the entire cost.
Explanation
Origin
- American idiom, dating back to the late 19th century.
- Foot refers to the 'footing' or adding up of a column of figures in an account or bill. The total appears at the 'foot' (bottom) of the list.
- To foot the bill means to pay the final total amount calculated.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- It's on me / This one's on me (Offering to pay for the current round/meal)
- Cover it
- Spring for (To pay for something, often as a treat)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Pay for the whole damn thing
- (Reluctantly): Get stuck with the fucking bill
Milder/Formal:
- Assume responsibility for the payment
- Bear the expense
- Settle the charges
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal. Common in everyday conversation and many business contexts (e.g., discussing expenses, client dinners).
- Generally acceptable unless a very high degree of formality is required.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners need to connect the word foot (bottom of the bill/total) to the act of paying the entire amount. It has nothing to do with feet.
Examples
- My boss took the team out for lunch and footed the bill.
- Don't worry about the cost; the company will foot the bill for your travel expenses.
- Parents often end up footing the bill for their adult children's mistakes.
Dialogue
Manager: Okay team, great work this quarter! To celebrate, lunch is on me today.
Employee 1: Wow, thanks boss!
Employee 2: That's really generous of you!
Manager: My pleasure. Just give me the receipt afterwards, I'll foot the bill.
Social Media Examples
- Twitter: Big thanks to @CompanyName for footing the bill for the conference catering! Much appreciated. #event #sponsorship
- Facebook post: When you go out with friends and everyone assumes you'll foot the bill because you got a promotion... awkward.
- LinkedIn comment: Good management means recognizing team efforts. Sometimes that's as simple as footing the bill for a team lunch.
Response Patterns
If someone offers to foot the bill:
- Gratitude: Oh, thank you so much!, That's very generous!, Are you sure? Thanks!
- Polite refusal/Offer to share: Oh no, you don't have to do that., Let's split it.
If describing someone else footing the bill:
- Appreciation/Acknowledgement: That was really nice of them., Wow, lucky you!
If stating one has to foot the bill (perhaps reluctantly):
- Sympathy: Oh, that's tough., That doesn't seem fair.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone offers to foot the bill:
- The others usually express thanks.
- The person offering proceeds to pay.
After mentioning someone else footed the bill:
- Might lead to discussion about the person's generosity or the situation.
After stating one has to foot the bill:
- Might lead to discussion about why, or the cost involved.
Conversation Starter
- No. Describes or offers to perform the action of paying.
Intonation
- Can be neutral, appreciative (if someone else paid), or slightly burdened (if reluctantly paying).
- Stress often falls on FOOT and BILL.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across all generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions, though originating in the US. Pick up the tab might be slightly more common in informal US English for meals/drinks.