cough up
The phrase "cough up" is commonly used in informal contexts to indicate reluctantly giving something or expelling something from the body.
Definition
B2Health
(medical)To expel mucus or other substances from the lungs or throat by coughing.
Example
- He started to cough up phlegm after catching a cold.
- The patient was coughing up blood, which alarmed the doctors.
B2Financial
(informal, idiomatic)To give money or something of value reluctantly.
Example
- She finally coughed up the money she owed me.
- The company had to cough up a hefty fine.
C1Sports
(informal, idiomatic)To lose possession of the ball or puck due to a mistake.
Example
- The quarterback coughed up the ball in the final seconds of the game.
- The player coughed up the puck, leading to a turnover.
B2General
(informal, idiomatic)To reluctantly reveal information or confess.
Example
- After hours of questioning, he finally coughed up the truth.
- She coughed up the details of the plan after much persuasion.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "cough up":
cough outhack upshell outyield upante upspit outchuck upfork overcough and a spitcork outthrow upchoke uppay outfront upgive it upspout outcuff upcack upcop offcash upgive outcome uppay the pipercast up one's accountscure upgulp upkick upgive overgob uppork upsnot uppit outcome up withpipe uprake upcast upshave upfetch upshit outgive forthcry offdish out