There are several ways to say that someone owes money, and knowing these synonyms can make your communication more effective. Some common alternatives to the phrase "owe money" include being in debt, being financially indebted, being in arrears, having outstanding debts, or being behind on payments. Other phrases to use when someone owes you money include "come to terms" which is often used to mean settling a debt, or "pay up" meaning repay what is owed. Using different words to describe debt allows you to add variety to your language and can help you express your message more clearly.