hell to pay

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.

When she finds out, there is hell to pay.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2025

He did not identify the Kremlin faction but said that it continued its attempts to sow discord, it would have "hell to pay".

From Reuters • Jun. 3, 2023

Harvey responded, “It’s going to be a lot of hell to pay at your house.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 24, 2023

Otherwise there’s going to be hell to pay.

From Slate • Apr. 14, 2021

They were appropriately amazed, though they did tell me in plain terms that next time I would leave a note for them or there would be hell to pay.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss