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Pick up the Tab

What Does "Pick up the Tab" Mean?

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"Pick up the tab" is an English idiom. It means "to pay for a meal, bill, or expense, especially when sharing costs with others; to assume financial responsibility for something."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "pick up the tab" used in a sentence:
  • He generously offered to pick up the tab for everyone's dinner at the restaurant.
  • It's customary for the host to pick up the tab for the evening's entertainment.
  • Let's split the bill unless someone wants to pick up the tab.
meaning for pick up the tab

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 "Pick up the Tab" 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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