who pays the piper calls the tune

who pays the piper calls the tune

English

Alternative forms

• he who pays the piper calls the tune
• whoever pays the piper calls the tune

Etymology

From the classic legend, The Pied Piper of Hamelin.

Proverb

who pays the piper calls the tune

1. The person paying for something is the one who gets to say how it should be done

Translations

one who pays for something controls it

Catalan: qui paga mana Estonian: kes maksab, see tellib ka muusika

Finnish: kenen leipää syöt, sen lauluja laulat

See also

• you pays your money and you takes your choice
• you get what you pay for