pick up the bill

The order suspended the VA’s extensive procurement requirements and ordered the agency to pick up the bill.

It is not known how long the remaining work will take, or who will pick up the bill.

And on that basis, the parliament concluded that they would pick up the bill - with the agreement that £3,000 should come out of Mr Matheson's own office expenses budget.

But it's made clear that their own countries are expected to soon pick up the bill and arrange onward travel.

In the community, it is often financially-squeezed councils - rather than the NHS - who pick up the bill.