Serious trouble will occur as a result of a previous or proposed action.
‘when I got it wrong, there would be hell to pay’
‘But when they cross the wrong guy, there will be hell to pay.’
‘If work does not commence on the proposed sewerage scheme for the town within one month there will be hell to pay.’
‘If she gets out of line and doesn't heed their first warning, then they promised there will be hell to pay for strike two!’
‘I'm sure there will be hell to pay at some point this week.’
‘But if they move us again, there will be hell to pay.’
‘And if it turns out ultimately that he had nothing to do with anything, no doubt there will be hell to pay.’
‘No, we're going to have to trust him, for now - with the caveat that there will be hell to pay if they lie to us.’
‘In time he'll probably succeed in taking most of the party with him, but there will be hell to pay.’
‘It's obvious from the beginning that his secret will come out and there will be hell to pay when it does.’
‘‘You'd better calm down,’ William said harshly, ‘Because if she wakes up, there will be hell to pay.’’
‘If the headmaster finds out there will be hell to pay.’
‘But don't you dare try to leave us, or there will be hell to pay.’
‘If we don't say goodbye to her, there will be hell to pay.’
‘My mom will be wondering where I am by now, she might have actually noticed I'm not there, and there will be hell to pay if I miss dinner!’
‘And if you start fighting over the blankets there will be hell to pay.’
‘These two reasons have one - and only one - undeniable, inevitable consequence: there are natural limits to these excesses, and when these limits are reached, there will be hell to pay!’
‘And this house better be spotless when we get back, or there will be hell to pay!’
‘But he had better keep his promise or there will be hell to pay.’
‘If you want to change things now, just because you've run into a few difficulties or to renegotiate the deal, then there will be hell to pay.’
‘One day, you will be caught while coming in, and then there will be hell to pay.’
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