"The Devil to Pay in Land"

"The Devil to Pay in Land" is a phrase that originally referred to the difficult and often costly process of settling land disputes or legal issues related to land ownership. It emphasizes that resolving land-related conflicts or completing land deals can be challenging, demanding significant effort, expense, or risk. Over time, it has also come to symbolize facing consequences or hardships when tackling complex or messy situations, especially those involving property or legal matters. Essentially, it highlights that handling land disputes or negotiations often requires perseverance as challenges and costs are involved.