Antonyms of the phrase "bearing the expense" can vary depending on the context. In some cases, it can simply mean not paying for something, so words like "free of charge," "complimentary," or "costless" could be considered antonyms. In other situations, it might mean transferring the responsibility for payment to someone else, such as a customer or a supplier. Words like "reimburse," "compensate," or "subsidize" might be opposite in meaning. Alternatively, antonyms could be phrases like "spending wisely" or "cutting costs," which indicate a reluctance or refusal to pay for something. In short, the antonyms for "bearing the expense" depend on the desired outcome or alternative.