Put paid to


What's the meaning of the phrase 'Put paid to'?

To deal with effectively; to finish something off.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Put paid to'?

The expression ‘Put paid to’ derives
from book-keepers literally putting
‘Paid’ on invoices.

‘Put paid to’ derives from the practice of book-keepers of writing or stamping “Paid” on bills when the paperwork for a sale was completed. The term isn’t especially old and I can’t find any examples of it in print prior to the 20th century. An early citation comes from the Winnipeg newspaper The Manitoba Morning Free Press, October 1905. This appeared in a listing of English football results, which were presumably printed in a Canadian paper for the benefit of the many English immigrants:

“Wolverhampton Wanderers put paid to Bolton’s account, the scores being: 2-0”

Trend of put paid to in printed material over time

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Put paid to

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