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Phrase(s): pay one’s dues
1. Lit. to pay the fees required to belong to an organization. • If you haven’t paid your dues, you can’t come to the club picnic. • How many people have paid their dues? 2. Fig. to have earned one’s right to something through hard work or suffering. • He worked hard to get to where he is today. He paid his dues and did what he was told. • I have every right to be here. I paid my dues!
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs