Cough Up – Conversation Practice

Megan: Do you have my money?

Rachel: What do you mean?

Megan: I lent you 20 dollars last week. You told me that you would pay me back this week.

Rachel: Did I say that?

Megan: Yes, you did. Where’s my money? Cough it up.

Rachel: The thing is that I don’t have it with me. I’ll have to give it to you next week.

Megan: Please keep your promise. Don’t make me chase you around trying to get my money back. Just pay what you owe.

Rachel: I promise that I will. I’m not trying to get out of paying you. Honestly, I just forgot.

Megan: Okay. I believe you.

1. to cough up: to give reluctantly; to hand over

  • The car shop made me cough up 500 dollars to fix my car.

  • A) I’m not giving you 5 dollars.
B) You lost the bet. You need to pay. Cough it up.

2. to pay back: to return borrowed money or to pay for something that received in the past

  • I got a loan for my house last year. It will take me 20 years to pay it all back.

  • If you lend me 20 dollars, I will pay you back next week.

3. to get out of (doing something): to avoid (doing something) that one is obligated to do or that one has already agreed to do

  • I’m going to try to get out of attending the business conference.

  • I hope that I can get out of helping my brother with this science project.