pay (one's) way
To contribute one's own share, pay for oneself

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

pay way
pay (your) way
if someone pays their way, they pay for all the things they have or use.
We've always paid our own way and never taken a penny from the state.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

pay one's way
v. phr.
1. To pay in cash or labor for your expenses.
He paid his way by acting as a guide.
2. To be profitable; earn as much as you cost someone; be valuable to an employer; to yield a return above expenses.
The bigger truck paid its way from the start.
We had to offer our new manager a large salary, but he was a capable man, and paid his way.
Compare: WORTH ONE'S SALT.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲