pay sb\'s way

The phrase pay sb\'s way is often used in English, but what does this idiom mean? When idioms are used in the right situations, they strengthen communication and enrich the language. You can communicate more effectively by learning the meaning of pay sb\'s way.

Meaning of "pay sb\'s way"

Meaning

The phrase 'pay sb's way' is an idiom which means to provide someone with the financial means to do something, especially when the expense is shared between two parties. It implies that one person is paying for another, usually out of a sense of generosity or obligation. Additionally, it can mean to provide someone with a way to do something, such as paying for the time or resources necessary for them to do it.

Etymology

The phrase 'pay sb's way' originated in the early 1900s, and was first used in a play by English author Noel Coward in 1926. In the play, Coward used the phrase to describe a father paying for his daughters to attend college. Since then, the phrase has been used in a variety of contexts, both literally and figuratively.

Usage

The phrase is most commonly used in everyday language when two or more people share a cost. This could be in the context of a vacation or a night out, when one person will pay for the other's expenses. In this situation, the phrase implies that the person who is paying for the other is doing so out of kindness or obligation. The phrase can also be used in a figurative sense, such as when one person is paying for the resources or time necessary for another to do something. This could be in the context of a job, where an employer pays for an employee's resources or training.

Example Sentences

• My aunt offered to pay my way for my summer vacation.
• She was so grateful that he had paid her way for the job interview.
• I will pay your way to the conference if you promise to take lots of notes.

From One Language to Another: Idioms in Translation

Translating idioms from one language to another can be a tricky task, as the cultural context behind an idiom can be difficult to capture. For example, the French phrase "avoir le cafard" translates to "to have the cockroach," which means to feel down or depressed. Similarly, the Chinese idiom "????" (j?ng d? zh? w?) translates to "frog at the bottom of a well," which refers to someone with a narrow view of the world.