cough over
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To give money or other valuables, usually reluctantly.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Eventually, he'll cough over the money he owes.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “cough over” mean?
To give money or other valuables, usually reluctantly.
Is “cough over” formal or informal?
cough over is generally slang.