pay for itself
idiom
: to save as much money over a period of time as something costs initially
windows that pay for themselves within five years by saving on heating costs
Examples of pay for itself in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But hard-line conservatives are pushing for any tax cut package to pay for itself, and be either deficit neutral or even begin to reduce the national debt.
—
Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025
It's priced at US$2,950, has a 10-year expected lifetime, and should reportedly pay for itself in two years for a 5X return on investment.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 10 Dec. 2024
And if a public program is going to pay for itself, it must be accompanied by a tax.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
That might come with fees, but the outlay will pay for itself.
—Carlton Reid, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pay for itself 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025
It's priced at US$2,950, has a 10-year expected lifetime, and should reportedly pay for itself in two years for a 5X return on investment.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 10 Dec. 2024
And if a public program is going to pay for itself, it must be accompanied by a tax.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
That might come with fees, but the outlay will pay for itself.
—Carlton Reid, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pay for itself
Dictionary Entries Near pay for itself
Cite this Entry
“Pay for itself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pay%20for%20itself. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share