pay the bill — settle a bill (e.g., at a restaurant, for utilities, etc.)
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to give money to cover the cost of something you have used or received, such as a meal, service, or utility.
Say it like a native
Textbook Allow me to settle the financial account for the meal.
Native Let me get the bill.
'Settle the financial account' is absurd in a restaurant; natives 'get/pay the bill'.
Pattern: pay the bill (for something)
In use
- After dinner, Sarah offered to pay the bill for everyone at the table.daily life
- When I travel with friends, we usually split the cost and each person pays the bill for something, like meals or tickets.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I'll pay the account, please.
✓ I'll pay the bill, please.
In everyday life it's 'the bill' (UK) / 'the check' (US restaurant), not 'the account'.
Common collocations
pay the bill— pay the bill, split the bill, foot the bill, the electricity bill
Don't confuse it
Do not confuse with 'pay attention' or 'pay someone.' 'Pay the bill' is about giving money for a service or product.