Summary
Feifei has learned an impressive new skill. Neil is feeling unwell. But when she asks him to ‘cough up’, he doesn’t seem too keen. Learn how to use this phrase in The English We Speak.
Transcript
Feifei
Good to be back at work, Neil?
Neil
Yes, Feifei. I feel a bit better now. Just got a… just a little... just a bit of a cough.
Feifei
Anyway, it’s good to have you here because you can finally pay me.
Neil
Oh. Right. Why’s that?
Feifei
Well, remember you said you didn’t believe I could stand on my head?
Neil
I do. I said I would give you £10 if you can do it.
Feifei
Yes. Well…
Neil
No way!
Feifei
There we are. On my head. £10 please. Time to cough up, Neil.
Neil
OK, OK! You can come down now.
Feifei
Not bad huh? Now, how about you ‘cough up’, and I explain what it means?
Neil
Hey, I was only joking about the £10. Oh OK, there you go.
Feifei
Thank you. If you ‘cough up’, it means you give someone money, especially if you don’t want to.
Neil
Yes, I didn’t want to give Feifei the money, but I said I would so I had to cough up.
Feifei
Indeed. Time for some examples…
Examples
I waited two whole weeks for my new TV to be delivered. And then I had to cough up an extra £15 for the delivery! I can’t believe it.
My last trip to the library was expensive. I had to cough up for the fines for all the books I returned late. Whoops.
When I sat on my colleague’s glasses he asked me to cough up £100 to buy a new pair. I must admit, the new ones are an improvement.
Neil
You're listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. The expression we're looking at in this programme is 'to cough up'.
Feifei
Neil, that cough is still sounding bad. Have you tried the cough medicine I use?
Neil
Not yet. It’s just a little expensive. £10 for a little bottle of medicine!
Feifei
It’s worth it. Listen, if you won’t cough up, I’ll give you the £10 back if you promise to buy it.
Neil
That’s very kind.
Feifei
Not a problem. And while you go to the pharmacy, I’m going to practise presenting the programme standing on my head. It’s good for blood circulation, apparently.
Neil
Standing on your head is one thing, but presenting a whole programme? No way.
Feifei
Are you sure! £10 says I can!
Neil
Haha. OK then. Bye.
Feifei
Bye.