pay for itself

present singular third person pays for itself · participle present paying for itself · participle past paid for itself · past paid for itself

1. To produce or result in revenue which will cover its costs.

   Although welded rails cost considerably more to lay than ordinary track, there is a great saving in maintenance, and it is estimated that welding pays for itself in less than three years.

   1950 July, “Long Welded Rails in America”, in Railway Magazine, page 434

   Synonyms: pay one's own way