The word "coughed up" is spelled as /kɒft ʌp/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound, /k/, is a voiceless velar stop made by blocking the airflow in the back of the mouth. The vowel sound, /ɒ/, is a short open-mid back vowel, similar to the "o" in "god". The next sound, /f/, is a voiceless labiodental fricative produced by forcing air through the space between the lower lip and upper teeth. The final sound, /t/, is a voiceless alveolar stop made by blocking the airflow with the tip of the tongue against the alveolar ridge behind the upper teeth.
Coughed up is a phrasal verb that typically refers to the act of expelling or bringing up material from the respiratory tract, primarily through a sudden and forceful expulsion of air from the lungs. This material may include mucus, phlegm, or other secretions associated with respiratory infections, allergies, or irritants such as cigarette smoke.
In a literal sense, coughed up describes the action of forcefully expelling this material through the mouth, often accompanied by a distinct sound known as a cough. This expulsion occurs as a reflex response triggered by irritation, inflammation, or obstruction in the throat, bronchial tubes, or lungs. The forceful exhalation of air generated during coughing aids in dislodging and removing the unwanted substances.
Figuratively, coughed up can also be used to describe situations where someone admits or reveals something reluctantly or under pressure. It implies the act of freely disclosing information or giving up something that was previously hidden or concealed. This usage often conveys a sense of confession, surrender, or submission as if the information or object being relinquished was obtained or guarded with difficulty.
Overall, whether describing a physical act of expectoration or a metaphorical act of disclosure, coughed up conveys the idea of something being forcefully expelled or given up, often after a period of resistance or containment.
The phrase "coughed up" is derived from the verb "cough". The word "cough" originated from the Old English word "cohhian", which was an imitation of the sound made during the action of coughing. Over time, the pronunciation evolved, and the spelling became "cough". The addition of "up" in the phrase "coughed up" simply implies expelling something from the throat or respiratory system through coughing.