What Does "Pay One's Dues" Mean?
"Pay one's dues" is an English idiom. It means "to fulfill one's obligations, often through hard work or effort, especially before achieving success or recognition."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "pay one's dues" used in a sentence:- Before becoming a successful actor, he paid his dues by working in small, low-paying roles.
- In the world of music, many artists spend years paying their dues by performing in small venues and struggling to make ends meet.
- Even successful entrepreneurs often pay their dues through years of hard work, setbacks, and perseverance.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Pay One's Dues" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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