hell/the devil to pay

hell to pay

Very negative or severe consequences. There will be hell to pay if you come home after curfew yet again.
See also: hell, pay

the devil to pay

A huge amount of trouble, typically as a result of some particular thing happening (or not). There'll be the devil to pay if they catch us sneaking out this late at night! I just worry that we'll have the devil to pay if he gets elected president.
See also: devil, pay
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hell to pay

Great trouble, as in If we're wrong there'll be hell to pay. [c. 1800]
See also: hell, pay
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the devil to pay

serious trouble to be expected.
This expression refers to the bargain formerly supposed to be made between magicians and the devil, the former receiving extraordinary powers or wealth in return for their souls.
See also: devil, pay
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˈhell/the ˈdevil to pay

(informal) a lot of trouble: There’ll be hell to pay when your father sees that broken window.
See also: devil, hell, pay
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

hell to pay

Great trouble: If we're wrong, there'll be hell to pay.
See also: hell, pay

the devil to pay

Trouble to be faced as a result of an action: There'll be the devil to pay if you allow the piglets inside the house.
See also: devil, pay
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • there will be hell to pay
  • there'll be hell to pay
  • hell to pay
  • hell to pay, there'll be
  • have hell to pay
  • hell and high water
  • be hell on
  • be hell on (one)
  • hell of a
  • hell of a (person or thing)