v. phr. To suffer the results of being foolish; pay or suffer because of your foolish acts or wasting money. Bob had spent all his money and got into debt, so now he must pay the piper. Fred had a fight, broke a window, and quarreled with his counselor so now he must pay the fiddler.
Compare: PACE THE MUSIC 2 . (From the proverb "He who dances must pay the piper (or the fiddler).")