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.
Many companies still want their road warriors to travel, but more employees expect to pick up the tab for costs as budgets shrink, according to a recent survey by SAP Concur.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026
Am I a jerk for not wanting to pick up the tab?
From MarketWatch • Nov. 22, 2025
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
However, individuals will still need to remain responsible for taking "healthy living more seriously", as the "NHS can't be expected to always pick up the tab for unhealthy lifestyles", he said.
From BBC • Oct. 15, 2024
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
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