pay the piper
to accept the unpleasant results of something you have done.
After fooling around for most of the semester, now he has to pay the piper and study over vacation.

If you don't charge enough for your work, at some point you will have to pay the piper.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

pay the piper
to face the results of one's actions, to receive punishment for something
I was forced to pay the piper when I realized that I had been late with my university essay.

The city government was forced to pay the piper after many years of bad management.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

pay the piper
v. phr. To suffer the results of being foolish; pay or suffer because of your foolish acts or wasting money.
Bob had spent all his money and got into debt, so now he must pay the piper.
Fred had a fight, broke a window, and quarreled with his counselor so now he must pay the fiddler.
Compare: PACE THE MUSIC². (From the proverb "He who dances must pay the piper (or the fiddler).")

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲