owe · v
owe your existence/success, etc., to sb/sth
C2 to have something or achieve something because of someone or something else
Dictionary examples:
The museum owes much of its success to the present generation of young artists. (34.6)
owe
B1 to have to pay money back to someone
Dictionary examples:
I owe my cat $100 for not buying her fancy tuna. (0.0)
He owes his brother a fortune for keeping his embarrassing secrets. (0.0)
We owe the chef $20 for not burning our toast. (0.0)
I owe Janet ten dollars. (18.6)
We still owe money on our mortgage. (56.5)
owe sb an apology/explanation/favor, etc.
B2 to have to give something to someone because they deserve it
Dictionary examples:
I think you owe me an explanation/apology. (29.6)