# cough up

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cough-up
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

To give something like money or a secret when you do not want to. You use this when someone finally pays you back for that pizza they 'forgot' about.

For teachers: To provide money, information, or property, typically with reluctance or under pressure. Transitive; the object can be placed between the verb and particle.

## Examples

- He finally had to cough up the money he owed me.
- After the long court case, the insurance company was forced to cough up the full settlement to the family.
- The corporation was eventually compelled to cough up the internal documents that proved they had been aware of the safety risks for years.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He coughed up to the fine." but "He coughed up the fine." — The phrase takes a direct object (the money or thing given) without the preposition 'to'.

## Usage notes

- This phrase is informal and usually refers to paying a debt or revealing a secret.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'shell out', which also means to pay but emphasizes the high cost rather than the reluctance to give.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.