Pay / foot the bill and pick up the bill/tab

Question

How to differentiate their meanings from 'pay/foot the bill and pick up the bill/tab'

1.I'll pay for this meal.

2.l'll foot the bill for this meal.

3.l'll pick up the bill for this meal.

I think the 'pay' is formal and foot the bill and pick up the bill/tab are informal and common expression in spoken English,is it right?

1)They offered to pick up the bill for all the expenses of the trip.
2)They offered pay the bill for all the expenses of the trip.
which one is more common expression and formal in written language ?

I know that 'pay' can mean to result in some advantage or profit for subject.

1)The wage doesn't pay you for doing these work.Is it right?

2)Robbing bank doesn't pay you to get a lot of money
3It doesn't pay to rob bank for a lot of money.

Which one is more common in English and formal ?

4)It'll pay you to hire a maid for taking care your child.
5)Hiring a maid for taking care your child because it will pay you.

Which one is more common in English and formal ?

Thanks in advance.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
How to differentiate their meanings from 'pay/foot the bill and pick up the bill/tab'

1.I'll pay for this meal. Commonly said, on both formal and informal ocasions.

2.l'll foot the bill for this meal. Correct, but I never hear anyone say this. Seems a liittle old-fashioned to me.

3.l'll pick up the bill for this meal. Fine, informal.

I think the 'pay' is formal and foot the bill and pick up the bill/tab are informal and common expression in spoken English,is it right?

1)They offered to pick up the bill for all the expenses of the trip.
2)They offered pay the bill for all the expenses of the trip.
which one is more common expression and formal in written language ?
I'd say the most common is simply
They offered to pay for the whole trip.

I know that 'pay' can mean to result in some advantage or profit for subject.

1)The wage doesn't pay you for doing these work.Is it right? No.
This work doesn't pay (ie does not result in profit for you)

2)Robbing banks doesn't pay ~~you to get a lot of money~~
3 It doesn't pay to rob banks ~~for a lot of money.~~

Which one is more common in English and formal ? With my edits, both are OK.

4)It'll pay you to hire a maid f~~or taking~~ to take care of your child. OK as edited

5)Hiring a maid for taking care your child because it will pay you. Completely wrong

Which one is more common in English and formal ? #4.

Clive

Alexander OJR · Answer

Thanks for your reply kindly first,the forum really need the kind man who's like you.^^

But i'm still wondering something as shown as below,

"Pick up the bill" is commonly used in informal English,therefore,not used in written/formal English,am i right?

"Foot the bill" is an old-fashioned phrase and no longer used now?

Emn...Can i add 'you' after the word 'pay',does it sound unnatural or strange a bit ?
Such as 'the work doesn't pay you' and 'it doesn't pay you to rob bank.'

Clive · Answer

Hi,
But i'm still wondering something as shown as below,

"Pick up the bill" is commonly used in informal English, I wouldn't say it's common, but it's fine

therefore,not used in written/formal English,am i right? Generally speaking, that's true

"Foot the bill" is an old-fashioned phrase and no longer used now?
a bit old-fashioned
not used a lot

Emn...Can i add 'you' after the word 'pay',does it sound unnatural or strange a bit ?
Such as 'the work doesn't pay you' and 'it doesn't pay you to rob bank.'
It sounds OK in casual speech but, really, it depends on the particular context.

Clive

Pay / foot the bill and pick up the bill/tab

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