'To pay one's footing' definitions:

Definition of 'To pay one's footing'

From: GCIDE

Footing \Foot"ing\, n.
1. Ground for the foot; place for the foot to rest on; firm foundation to stand on. [1913 Webster]
In ascent, every step gained is a footing and help to the next. --Holder. [1913 Webster]
2. Standing; position; established place; basis for operation; permanent settlement; foothold. [1913 Webster]
As soon as he had obtained a footing at court, the charms of his manner . . . made him a favorite. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
3. Relative condition; state. [1913 Webster]
Lived on a footing of equality with nobles. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
4. Tread; step; especially, measured tread. [1913 Webster]
Hark, I hear the footing of a man. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
5. The act of adding up a column of figures; the amount or sum total of such a column. [1913 Webster]
6. The act of putting a foot to anything; also, that which is added as a foot; as, the footing of a stocking. [1913 Webster]
7. A narrow cotton lace, without figures. [1913 Webster]
8. The finer refuse part of whale blubber, not wholly deprived of oil. --Simmonds. [1913 Webster]
9. (Arch. & Enging.) The thickened or sloping portion of a wall, or of an embankment at its foot. [1913 Webster]
Footing course (Arch.), one of the courses of masonry at the foot of a wall, broader than the courses above.
To pay one's footing, to pay a fee on first doing anything, as working at a trade or in a shop. --Wright.
Footing beam, the tie beam of a roof. [1913 Webster]