peɪ ʌp
informal
intermediate
- Base verb:
- pay
- Particle:
- up
- Separable:
- No
What does "pay up" mean?
To pay money that is owed, often reluctantly
Examples
- Pay up! You lost the bet.
- If you don't pay up, we'll take legal action.
- The insurance company finally paid up.
- He had no choice but to pay up.
- Come on, pay up! You owe me $20.
How to use it
Informal and often demanding. Implies the payment is overdue or the person is reluctant.
Similar expressions
pay
settle
cough up
Opposites
owe
refuse
Related phrasal verbs
- pay off
To finish paying money that is owed
- pay back
To return money that you owe someone
- get up
To rise from bed after sleeping
- turn up
To increase the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- give up
To stop trying to do something, often because it is too difficult
- bring up
To mention or introduce a topic in conversation
Use it in a practice answer
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