Phrasal verb
shell out
Definition
phrasal verb. to pay a lot of money for something, especially when you do not want to or when it feels like too much.
phrasal verb. to pay a significant sum of money, often reluctantly or for an unexpected expense. The verb is transitive when the object is the amount paid, though it frequently appears with a 'for' prepositional phrase.
Examples
“I had to shell out forty dollars for a new phone charger.”
“The landlord refused to fix the heater, so the tenants had to shell out for their own repairs during the winter.”
“Investors were forced to shell out millions in legal fees following the collapse of the high-profile tech startup.”
Examples
simple
“I had to shell out forty dollars for a new phone charger.”
contextual
“The landlord refused to fix the heater, so the tenants had to shell out for their own repairs during the winter.”
complex
“Investors were forced to shell out millions in legal fees following the collapse of the high-profile tech startup.”
Usage
usually followed by 'for' when mentioning the item or service bought.
Teaching tip
compare with 'fork out' or 'cough up' to show different levels of reluctance when spending money.
Pitfall
He shelled out of ten pounds.
He shelled out ten pounds.
do not use the preposition 'of' before the amount of money.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
shell + out + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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