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.