pay one’s dues

(verb) to do what you must do in order to become successful

Example Sentences:

A: I want to be manager of this company!
B: It’s your first day!
A: So what?
B: You can’t just become manager overnight! You have to pay your dues.
A: Oh.

The teacher paid her dues by working in many bad schools before she got hired at a good one.

Friend: How is work?
Actor: I’m doing a lot of bad television shows right now.
Friend: Are you getting paid well?
Actor: No. It’s terrible.
Friend: Well, at least you are paying your dues. In the future I’m sure you will get good jobs.
Actor: I hope so!

Media:

Similar idioms:

1. riot
2. as you sow, so you shall reap