Definition

Verb (transitive): - To pay out or disburse money, often reluctantly or in small amounts. - To distribute or administer something, typically in portions.

Usage

This verb is commonly used in informal contexts to describe the act of paying for something, especially when the payment is perceived as obligatory, burdensome, or made in installments. It often implies a degree of reluctance on the part of the payer.

Examples

• Basic Usage:
  • I had to shell out fifty dollars for the taxi ride home.
  • Every month, he shells out a fortune for his car insurance.
• With an Object:
  • The company shelled out huge bonuses to its executives.
  • Parents often have to shell out money for school trips.

Advanced Usage

• "to shell out for something": To pay a significant amount of money for a specific item or service.
  • Are you really going to shell out for front-row concert tickets?
• "to shell out on something": Similar to the above, emphasizing the object of expenditure.
  • They shelled out a small fortune on their daughter's wedding.

Variants and Related Words

• Payout (n): A large payment of money, especially as compensation or a prize.
  • He received a huge insurance payout.
• Shell (n/v): As a noun, a hard outer case; as a verb, to bombard with explosives or to remove a shell. (Note: This is the base word, but its meaning is distinct from the phrasal verb "shell out").

Synonyms

• Fork over/out: (informal) To hand over money.
• Cough up: (informal) To produce money, especially unwillingly.
• Dispense: To distribute or provide (a service or product).
• Dole out: To distribute in small amounts.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pay out: To disburse money, especially a large sum or over time (more neutral in tone than "shell out").
  • The insurance company will pay out on the claim.

Related Idioms

• To foot the bill: To be the one who pays for something.
  • As usual, my dad footed the bill for dinner.
• To cough up the dough/cash: A very informal idiom meaning to pay money.
  • You lost the bet, so cough up the cash.

Verb

1. administer or bestow, as in small portions
   • administer critical remarks to everyone present
   • dole out some money
   • shell out pocket money for the children
   • deal a blow to someone
   • the machine dispenses soft drinks