pony up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive or intransitive):
- To pay money, especially a sum that is owed or demanded, often with some reluctance or after a delay.
Usage
- The verb "pony up" is informal and is used when someone is required to provide money, typically in a situation where they might be hesitant to do so. It can be used with or without a direct object for the money.
- Structure: or .
Examples
- Verb:
- The city finally ponied up for the new park renovations.
- If you want to join the investment club, you'll have to pony up a $500 fee.
- He promised to pony up his share of the bill by the end of the week.
Advanced Usage
- "to pony up for something": to pay for a specific thing.
- The company was forced to pony up for the environmental cleanup.
- "to pony up the cash/dough": to pay the money (using informal synonyms for money).
- They won the lawsuit, so now the defendant has to pony up the cash.
Variants and Related Words
- Antonym: "stiff" (verb, informal): To fail to pay someone.
- He stiffed the waiter on the tip.
- Related Concept: "cough up" (verb, informal): A very close synonym meaning to give something, especially money, reluctantly.
- He had to cough up a fine for speeding.
Synonyms
- Pay up: To pay money that is owed, especially when demanded.
- Fork over/out (informal): To hand over money, often unwillingly.
- Ante up (informal): To pay one's share, originating from poker.
Phrasal Verbs
- "Pony up" is itself a phrasal verb. It does not have further phrasal verb forms.
Related Idioms
- "Put your money where your mouth is": To back up your talk with action or financial commitment. This is conceptually related to "pony up" as both involve providing money to support a claim or desire.
- You say it's a great cause? Then put your money where your mouth is and donate.
Verb
- give reluctantly
- He coughed up some money for his children's tuition