There are many synonyms for the phrase "owed it to." Some common options include "owed a debt of gratitude," "had an obligation to," "owed a favor to," "owed respect to," and "owed recognition to." Depending on the context, other synonyms may be more appropriate. For example, "owed an apology to" or "owed an explanation to" may be better suited when discussing a situation where someone has caused harm or confusion. No matter which synonym is used, the phrase "owed it to" conveys a sense of owing debt or obligation to someone or something, and emphasizes the importance of following through on that obligation.