B1verbmoneyrelationships
US/oʊ/
UK/əʊ/
to need to pay back money you borrowed, or to feel you should give someone something
In context
I still owe my sister two million dong for the phone.
Thanks for helping me move, I owe you a dinner.
She says she owes her success to her first English teacher.
Words that go with owe
verb + noun
- owe moneyHe owes money to half the people in the village.
- owe someone an apologyI think you owe your brother an apology.
- owe a debt of gratitudeWe owe a debt of gratitude to the doctors who saved him.
- owe an explanationThe airline owes passengers an explanation for the delay.
verb + preposition
- owe it toYou owe it to yourself to take a proper rest.
- owe a lot toThe team owes a lot to its young goalkeeper.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I owe to him 500,000 dong.Correct: I owe him 500,000 dong.