COUGH UP Meaning and
Definition
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Cough up is a phrasal verb that is used in informal English to describe the act of revealing or sharing something unwillingly or reluctantly, usually money or information. The term "cough up" is derived from the action of coughing, which is often spontaneous and uncontrollable, just as the act of giving something reluctantly can often feel involuntary.
When someone is asked to "cough up" money, it means they are being pressured or requested to pay a sum of money, even though they may not want to or think it is unfair. This can occur in various scenarios, such as when debt or fines are owed, or when someone needs to contribute their share to a collective expense. It implies an element of discomfort or dissatisfaction with the request.
Similarly, "coughing up" information refers to the act of reluctantly revealing private or sensitive details that one would prefer to keep confidential. This could happen during interrogations or investigations where individuals are pressed to disclose information they may want to withhold.
Overall, "cough up" indicates an informal sense of being forced or compelled to give something in an uncomfortable or unwilling manner. It is often used figuratively to convey a sense of reluctance or resistance in parting with money or disclosing information.
Common Misspellings for COUGH UP
- xough up
- vough up
- fough up
- dough up
- ciugh up
- ckugh up
- clugh up
- cpugh up
- c0ugh up
- c9ugh up
- coygh up
- cohgh up
- cojgh up
- coigh up
- co8gh up
- co7gh up
- coufh up
- couvh up
- coubh up
Etymology of COUGH UP
The term "cough up" is an idiomatic expression that originated in the English language. It combines the verb "cough", which derives from the Middle English word "coughen", meaning "to expel air audibly from the lungs", and the preposition "up", indicating direction or movement. When used figuratively, "cough up" means to reluctantly give or surrender something, often referring to money or information. The phrase likely emerged from the idea that someone is expelling or surrendering something, similar to how coughing involves forcefully expelling air. The exact origins of this idiom are unclear, but it is generally believed to have developed during the 19th or early 20th century.
Idioms with the word COUGH UP
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cough up sth
The idiom "cough up sth" means to reluctantly provide or give something, usually money or information, that is demanded or expected by someone else. It implies that the act of providing or giving is done with a sense of discomfort or annoyance.
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cough up
The idiom "cough up" means to reluctantly give or provide something, typically money or information.
Similar spelling words for COUGH UP
Conjugate verb Cough up
CONDITIONAL
I
would cough up
you
would cough up
he/she/it
would cough up
we
would cough up
they
would cough up
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be coughing up
you
would be coughing up
he/she/it
would be coughing up
we
would be coughing up
they
would be coughing up
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have cough up
you
would have cough up
he/she/it
would have cough up
we
would have cough up
they
would have cough up
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been coughing up
you
would have been coughing up
he/she/it
would have been coughing up
we
would have been coughing up
they
would have been coughing up
FUTURE
I
will cough up
you
will cough up
he/she/it
will cough up
we
will cough up
they
will cough up
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be coughing up
you
will be coughing up
he/she/it
will be coughing up
we
will be coughing up
they
will be coughing up
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have coughed up
you
will have coughed up
he/she/it
will have coughed up
we
will have coughed up
they
will have coughed up
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been coughing up
you
will have been coughing up
he/she/it
will have been coughing up
we
will have been coughing up
they
will have been coughing up
IMPERATIVE
you
cough up
we
let´s cough up
to cough up
PAST
I
coughed up
you
coughed up
he/she/it
coughed up
we
coughed up
they
coughed up
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was coughing up
you
were coughing up
he/she/it
was coughing up
we
were coughing up
they
were coughing up
PAST PARTICIPLE
coughed up
PAST PERFECT
I
had coughed up
you
had coughed up
he/she/it
had coughed up
we
had coughed up
they
had coughed up
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been coughing up
you
had been coughing up
he/she/it
had been coughing up
we
had been coughing up
they
had been coughing up
PRESENT
I
cough up
you
cough up
he/she/it
coughs up
we
cough up
they
cough up
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am coughing up
you
are coughing up
he/she/it
is coughing up
we
are coughing up
they
are coughing up
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
coughing up
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have coughed up
you
have coughed up
he/she/it
has coughed up
we
have coughed up
they
have coughed up
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been coughing up
you
have been coughing up
he/she/it
has been coughing up
we
have been coughing up
they
have been coughing up
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