the devil to pay

the devil to pay {n. phr.}

A severe penalty.

If we don't finish the work by next Monday, there will be the devil to pay.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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devil

[devil] See: [BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA], [FULL OF THE OLD NICK] or [FULL OF THE DEVIL], [GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE], [GO TO THE DEVIL], [PLAY […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

go to the devil

[go to the devil] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To go away, mind your own business. - Used as a command; considered rude. * /George told Bob to go to the […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

devil-may-care

[devil-may-care] {adj.} Not caring what happens; unworried. * /Johnny has a devil-may-care feeling about his school work./ * /Alfred was a devil-may-care youth but became more serious as he grew […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

devil to pay

[devil to pay] {n. phr.} Great trouble. - Used after "the". * /There'll be the devil to pay when the teacher finds out who broke the window./ * /When Jim […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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