foot score: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “foot score” mean?
To pay for something, especially a bill or expense.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To pay for something, especially a bill or expense.
To accept the responsibility or cost for something, often after others have contributed or refused.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English, but used in both varieties. 'Score' in this context is slightly more British (as in 'settle a score'), while Americans might prefer 'foot the bill' or simply 'pay'.
Connotations
Implies a sense of duty, finality, or sometimes reluctance. Can carry a slight connotation of being the one left to pay after others.
Frequency
Not a high-frequency phrase. More likely found in spoken narratives or informal writing than in formal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “foot score” in a Sentence
[Subject] foot the score[Subject] footed the score [for/after + event]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foot score” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After the stag do, Tom good-naturedly footed the score.
- I'm not footing the score for your taxi rides again!
American English
- When the fundraiser fell short, the dean footed the score.
- Someone has to foot the score for the damages.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear informally: 'The parent company ended up footing the score for the subsidiary's losses.'
Academic
Extremely rare; considered too informal.
Everyday
Informal conversations about shared meals, trips, or group expenses.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “foot score”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “foot score”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foot score”
- *Foot a score (missing 'the')
- *Foot the scores (pluralisation is incorrect)
- Using in overly formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonymous. 'Foot the score' is a less common variant, with 'score' meaning the account or tally.
It's too informal for standard business correspondence. Use 'cover the cost', 'settle the invoice', or 'pay the bill' instead.
It comes from a 16th-century meaning of 'foot' as a verb meaning 'to add up (a column of numbers) and put the total at the foot (bottom)'. This evolved into 'to pay the total sum'.
It can sound presumptuous or demanding. It's more often used descriptively ('I had to foot...') or in questions/offers ('Shall I foot the score?').
To pay for something, especially a bill or expense.
Foot score is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Foot score: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfʊt ˌskɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfʊt ˌskɔr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Foot the bill”
- “Pick up the tab”
- “Settle the score”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a football (soccer) game where the final SCORE is written on a bill. The losing team's captain has to put his FOOT on it to stamp it as 'paid'.
Conceptual Metaphor
FINANCIAL OBLIGATION IS A PHYSICAL BURDEN (to 'foot' it is to support it with your foot/body). SETTLEMENT IS A FINAL ACCOUNT (a 'score' is a tally to be settled).
Practice
Quiz
In which situation would you most likely use 'foot the score'?