have an obligation to pay or repay (something, especially money) in return for something received:they have denied they owe money to the company [with two objects]:you owe me £19.50 for the electricity bill
owe something, especially money, to:I owe you for the taxi
be under a moral obligation to give someone (gratitude, respect, etc.):I owe it to him to explain what’s happened [with two objects]:I owe you an apology
(owe something to) have something because of:champagne houses owe their success to brand imageI owe my life to you
owe it to oneself (to do something)
need to do something to protect one’s own interests:you owe it to yourself to take care of your body
owe someone one
informal feel indebted to someone:thanks, I owe you one for this
—— owes one a living
used to express disapproval of someone who expects to receive financial support or other benefits without doing any work:they think the world owes them a living
