cough up

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Verb (transitive):
    • To expel (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth through a sudden, often noisy, effort of air. This is the literal, physical action.
    • To give or hand over (money or something else of value) reluctantly, often after pressure or delay. This is a figurative, informal usage.
Usage Examples

  • Literal meaning (expelling from lungs):

    • The patient was advised to cough up the mucus to clear his airways.
    • After the cold, he would cough up phlegm every morning.

  • Figurative meaning (giving reluctantly):

    • He finally coughed up the rent money a week late.
    • The company was forced to cough up compensation for the damages.
Advanced Usage
  • The figurative use often implies resistance, obligation, or an unwillingness to part with the item, typically money.
    • The witness refused to cough up any information to the police.
    • If you want the car back, you'll have to cough up the cash.
Variants and Related Words
  • Cough (verb/noun): The base action of expelling air from the lungs suddenly.
  • Cough drop (noun): A medicated lozenge to soothe a cough.
  • Cough syrup (noun): Liquid medicine taken to relieve a cough.
Synonyms
  • Literal: Expectorate, clear one's throat.
  • Figurative: Fork over, shell out, hand over, pay up, ante up.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Cough up does not typically combine with other particles to form additional distinct phrasal verbs with different meanings. The term itself functions as a phrasal verb.
Related Idioms
  • "Cough it up": An informal, often imperative, phrase demanding that someone give what is owed or reveal information.
    • Come on, cough it up! Where did you hide the keys?
  • "Cough up the dough": A slang idiom specifically for reluctantly paying money.
    • You lost the bet, so cough up the dough.
Verb
  1. discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth
  2. give reluctantly
    • He coughed up some money for his children's tuition

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