The phrase "bear the expense" can be daunting in certain scenarios, especially when individuals or businesses are trying to reduce costs. In such situations, identifying antonyms, or words with opposite meanings, can be helpful. One antonym for "bear the expense" is "avoid the cost," which suggests finding ways to sidestep expenses altogether. Another antonym is "share the expense," which implies distributing the cost among multiple parties. A third option is to "reduce the expense" by identifying areas where expenses could be cut back without significantly affecting the end result. Ultimately, the choice of antonym depends on the context and objective behind the expenses under consideration.