pay (your) dues

to earn respect because you worked hard to develop a skill.

She paid her dues playing in small clubs in New York before an album made her famous.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of dues (= money paid to belong to an organization)

• out like a light
• out loud
• out of a clear blue sky
• out of action
• out of a paper bag
• out of a rut
• out of a their rut
• out of bounds
• out of breath
• out of circulation
• out of commission
• out of control
• out-of-date
• out of depth
• out of hair
• out of hand
• out of hands
• out of keeping with
• out of keeping with something
• out of kilter
• out of league
• out of left field
• out of line
• out of luck
• out of mind