Pay the price

The figurative meaning is to accept the generally negative consequences of one’s actions or decisions. Price here is used in the sense of ‘penalty’ and this figurative use of the expression dates from the mid-1600s. In more recent times, it has developed into the expression ‘to have no price’ meaning to have no chance. For example, to have no price in staving off defeat means there is no chance or price high enough to pay to avoid defeat. This latter usage dates from the mid-19th century.