What Does “Cough sth up” Mean?
“Cough sth up” means to bring something out from your throat or lungs by coughing. It can also mean to give or pay something, often reluctantly.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “cough sth up” has two main meanings. First, it refers to physically expelling mucus or an object from your throat or lungs by coughing. Second, in informal English, it means to pay money or give something, often unwillingly. Understanding the “cough sth up meaning” helps learners use it correctly in different contexts. This phrase is common in both medical and everyday conversations and can add variety to your English speaking and writing.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: cough something up
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To expel mucus by coughing or to give/pay something reluctantly
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Cough sth up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means the object (something) can come between “cough” and “up,” or after “up.”
- cough something up
- cough up something
Example: She coughed the phlegm up. / She coughed up the phlegm.
How to Use “Cough sth up”?
You can use “cough sth up” when talking about clearing your throat or lungs, especially when sick. For example, “He coughed up some mucus.”
In informal speech, it also means to pay money or give something, usually when you don’t want to. For example, “You have to cough up $50 for the ticket.”
The phrase works well in both literal and figurative contexts.
Examples
- After being sick all night, she finally coughed up some mucus.
- The old man had to cough up a large sum of money for his car repairs.
- He didn’t want to cough up the cash, but he had no choice.
- Doctors told him to cough up the phlegm to clear his lungs.
- Can you cough up the rent by Friday?
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She coughed up.
- Correct: She coughed something up. (You need an object)
- Incorrect: I cough up the money yesterday.
- Correct: I coughed up the money yesterday.
Differences / Synonyms
Cough sth up vs. Spit sth out:
“Spit sth out” means to force something out of your mouth quickly, often food or liquid. “Cough sth up” usually refers to mucus or something stuck in the throat or lungs.
Cough sth up vs. Hand sth over:
“Hand sth over” means to give something willingly, while “cough sth up” suggests reluctance or difficulty.
Common Collocations
- cough up mucus
- cough up phlegm
- cough up blood
- cough up money
- cough up cash
- cough up a fee
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I don’t want to pay the fine, but I guess I have to cough it up.
Ben: Yeah, sometimes you just have to cough up the money.
Anna: By the way, I’ve been coughing a lot lately and finally coughed up some nasty stuff.
Ben: You should see a doctor if that continues.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) He coughed up the phlegm this morning.
- B) He coughed the morning up phlegm.
- C) He coughed up this morning the phlegm.
Answer: A
Fill in the blank:
She didn’t want to _________ the money, but it was necessary.
FAQs
- Q: Can “cough sth up” be used in formal writing?
A: It is mostly informal, especially when meaning to pay money.
- Q: Is “cough sth up” always about money?
A: No, it can also mean to expel mucus or something stuck in the throat.
- Q: Can I say “cough up” without an object?
A: Usually, you need an object to complete the meaning.
- Q: What level is “cough sth up” for English learners?
A: It is generally B1 (intermediate) level.
- Q: What are common objects with “cough up”?
A: Money, mucus, phlegm, blood, fees, cash.
