pay-as-you-go

[ pey-uhz-yoo-goh ]

noun

1. the principle or practice of paying for goods and services at the time of purchase, rather than relying on credit.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or based on such a principle or practice:

   a pay-as-you-go budget.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pay-as-you-go¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Idioms and Phrases

Pay for purchases immediately instead of deferring payment. For example, Ruth and Bob had no credit cards; they believed in paying as you go . [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Try using a rogue pay-as-you-go phone, i.e., not your work phone or the one that you usually use to call a spouse.

From The Daily Beast

London Mayor Boris Johnson is very proud of his pay-as-you-go rental bicycles installed all over London.

From The Daily Beast

Social Security is a pay-as-you-go system: Money in, money out.

From The Daily Beast

For $3 to $4 people are able to write what they like and it'll be sent from a pay-as-you-go SIM, somewhere in the world.

From The Daily Beast

The "Pay-as-You-Go" system has reflected favorably on the state's financial reputation.

From Project Gutenberg

During this same period, the "Pay-as-You-Go" system for roadbuilding was adopted.

From Project Gutenberg

But this pay-as-you-go business is too slow and troublesome.

From Project Gutenberg