pay one's dues

pay one's dues : (근면, 희생, 경험 따위에 의해)존경받다, 권리(지위)를 차지하다/ (과오, 부주의 따위의) 대가를 치르다, 형기를 마치다to earn something (such as respect, a position, or a right) through hard work or experienceto fulfill one's responsibilitiesex. I think she deserves a promotion cuz she's paid her dues over the years.그녀는 수년간 열심히 일해왔으니까 승진해야 마땅하다고 생각해.He may be a famous actor now, but he paid his dues with years of taking smalle..