informal

to pay for something, often something that is not your responsibility.

When we go out for dinner it's always Jack who picks up the bill.

It's the taxpayer who picks up the tab for all these crazy government schemes. (often + for)

• the business end of something
• the calm before the storm
• the cards are stacked against
• the cards are stacked against someone
• the cart before the horse
• the casting couch
• the center of attention
• the change of life
• the chattering classes
• the child from hell
• the [child/house/mother, etc.] from hell
• the chosen few
• the coast is clear
• the cock of the walk
• the comings and goings
• the common touch
• the conventional wisdom
• the corridors of power
• the cream of the crop
• the curtain comes down on
• the curtain comes down on something
• the curtain falls
• the curtain falls on
• the curtain falls on something
• the cut and thrust of