pick up the tab
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For decades, California governors have relied on nonprofits to pick up the tab for official travel, diplomatic events and other costs that would otherwise be paid with taxpayer funds.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026
His concerns included rate increases and ensuring that residential customers don’t pick up the tab for large, power-guzzling new data centers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026
Should parents always pick up the tab for those family restaurant dinners?
From MarketWatch • Jan. 16, 2026
He suggested that charity could pick up the tab but that really, people just need to be responsible for themselves.
From Salon • Nov. 18, 2025
On some expeditions guides have gone to the summit without any of their paying customers, prompting the bitter clients to conclude that they were brought along simply to pick up the tab.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
