esl #english #idioms #verb

pay one's way {v. phr.}

  1. To pay in cash or labor for your expenses.

He paid his way by acting as a guide.

  1. To be profitable; earn as much as you cost someone; be valuable to an employer; to yield a return above expenses.

The bigger truck paid its way from the start.

We had to offer our new manager a large salary, but he was a capable man, and paid his way.

Compare: WORTH ONE'S SALT. Categories: {v. phr.}