Meanings
From cough + up.
To expel from the lungs, throat, etc. by coughing.
Example: "He was coughing up blood."
To reluctantly or unwillingly give. To pay, disburse. To hand over, give.
Example: "Do you think he'll be able to cough up the three grand by Tuesday?"
To pay, disburse.
Example: "Do you think he'll be able to cough up the three grand by Tuesday?"
To hand over, give.
To lose a competition by one's own mistakes, usually near the end of the contest.
Example: "That team had the game won, but they coughed it up in the end."
Example Sentences
1
The company refused to cough up any information about the incident.
2
I had to cough up my passport at the airport security.
3
The restaurant was hesitant to cough up a refund for the terrible service.
4
She didn't want to cough up her secret recipe.
5
The government was forced to cough up millions in tax refunds.
