cough up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, especially in its figurative sense.
Quick answer
What does “cough up” mean?
To expel something (like mucus or a foreign object) from the lungs or throat by a sharp, noisy expulsion of air.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To expel something (like mucus or a foreign object) from the lungs or throat by a sharp, noisy expulsion of air.
To reluctantly give or pay money or information, especially when under pressure or as a result of a demand.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both varieties. No significant syntactic or semantic differences.
Connotations
Slightly more common in informal American English for financial contexts (e.g., 'cough up the cash'). In British English, it is equally common for both money and information.
Frequency
High frequency in informal spoken language in both varieties. The figurative sense is more common than the literal one in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “cough up” in a Sentence
[Subject] + cough up + [Direct Object (Money/Info)][Subject] + cough up + [Direct Object] + for + [Reason][Subject] + cough + [Direct Object] + up (separable phrasal verb)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cough up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He finally coughed up the fifty quid he owed me.
- The witness was forced to cough up the name of his accomplice.
- I think I've coughed up enough for your wedding present.
American English
- You lost the bet, so cough up twenty dollars.
- The company had to cough up a huge settlement.
- Come on, cough it up! Where did you hide the keys?
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used informally to discuss late payments, fines, or required investments (e.g., 'The partners had to cough up an extra 10%').
Academic
Rare. Might appear in informal speech among academics, not in formal writing.
Everyday
Common for discussing shared bills, lost bets, or extracting a confession (e.g., 'Come on, cough up who ate the last biscuit!').
Technical
Used literally in medical contexts (e.g., 'The patient was unable to cough up the secretion').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cough up”
- Incorrect separable use: 'I coughed up it' instead of 'I coughed it up'.
- Using in overly formal contexts.
- Confusing with 'cough out', which is less idiomatic for money.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily informal, especially in its figurative meaning. Use more formal terms like 'provide', 'pay', or 'submit' in official writing.
Yes, it can be used for information, secrets, answers, or any item one is reluctant to give.
Yes, it is separable. You can say 'cough up the money' or 'cough the money up'. When the object is a pronoun (it, them), it must be placed between the verb and particle: 'cough it up'.
They are very similar for money. 'Cough up' often emphasizes more reluctance or that the money is being extracted. 'Pay up' is more direct and focused on the settlement of a debt.
To expel something (like mucus or a foreign object) from the lungs or throat by a sharp, noisy expulsion of air.
Cough up: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒf ʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːf ʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Cough up or shut up. (A challenge to pay or prove a claim)”
- “Cough up the ghost (archaic/variant of 'give up the ghost', meaning to die).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone choking on a coin. To get help, they must literally COUGH UP the coin. Similarly, to get out of a difficult situation (like debt), you must FIGURATIVELY 'cough up' money.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY/INFORMATION IS A PHYSICAL OBSTRUCTION IN THE BODY. Reluctantly giving it is like the uncomfortable, forced act of expelling it.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cough up' LEAST appropriate?