English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Pay as you go
Meaning
The idiom "pay as you go" means that someone is making a payment for something only when they receive or use the product or service being purchased. This payment may be made in cash, credit card, or on an account basis, depending on the agreement between the buyer and the seller. The figurative meaning of the idiom can also refer to a person who wants to live a life without financial burden or debt.
Usage
- I decided to "pay as you go" when it came to buying groceries instead of spending all my money at once.
- My car broke down and I had to pay for repairs out-of-pocket, but now I'm wondering if I should have opted for a maintenance plan.
- When traveling abroad, it's often cheaper to "pay as you go" for accommodations and transportation instead of booking everything in advance.
- My friend who had never used credit cards before started using them on an "as needed" basis to avoid accruing debt.
- I decided to "pay as you go" for my college education by taking out loans only when I needed them, instead of borrowing the entire amount upfront.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom "pay as you go" can be traced back to the 19th century when many people were still using cash only. Before credit cards became popular, people would often pay for goods or services on a cash-only basis, with the payment made at the time of purchase. Over time, this way of paying evolved to include credit cards and other forms of payment. However, the figurative meaning of the idiom has become more widely used in contemporary language to refer to a person who wants to avoid financial burden or debt.
Synonyms in English
- Pay per use
- On-demand payment
- Pay-per-view
- Consumption-based pricing
- Usage-based billing
Synonyms in other languages
- French: "à la carte" (meaning "à la mode" or "in style")
- Spanish: "por uso" (meaning "for use")
- Italian: "per consumazione" (meaning "for consumption")
- German: "nach Verbrauch" (meaning "after use")
- Chinese: "按需" (meaning "on-demand")