ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cough up

idiom
Meaning

To reluctantly or unwillingly give.


Origin

disputed origin

From Middle English coughen up, equivalent to cough + up. Sense 2.1 was perhaps influenced by coffers of money. (to lose by one's own mistakes): Compare typologically Russian проду́ть (prodútʹ), профу́кать (profúkatʹ).

Examples
SIMPLE

I had to cough up fifty dollars for the ticket.

CONTEXTUAL

The company finally coughed up the money they owed after the lawyer sent them a formal letter.

COMPLEX

Despite his deep resentment toward the new tax laws, he eventually coughed up the required payment to avoid further legal complications.

Anchors to
Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    soften someone's cough

    To completely negate or undermine someone's argument or position on a topic.

© 2026 English Reference