PAY ONE'S WAY

{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.