Pay up
phrasal verb
To give the money that is owed or asked for.
The landlord threatened to evict them if they did not pay up
Often appears as...
- pay up the rent
- pay up the bill
phrasal verb
To pay fully or completely.
It took her five years to pay up her student loans
Often appears as...
- pay up the mortgage
- pay up the loan
phrasal verb
To pay someone a sum of money as a reward.
The company had to pay up a huge sum as compensation for the mishap
Often appears as...
- pay up the compensation
- pay up the damages
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
phrasal verb
To pay for a shared cost.
Everyone needs to pay up their part for the group dinner
Often appears as...
- pay up the share
- pay up the split cost
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrasal verb
To give the money that is owed or asked for.
The landlord threatened to evict them if they did not pay up
Often appears as...
- pay up the rent
- pay up the bill
phrasal verb
To pay fully or completely.
It took her five years to pay up her student loans
Often appears as...
- pay up the mortgage
- pay up the loan
phrasal verb
To pay someone a sum of money as a reward.
The company had to pay up a huge sum as compensation for the mishap
Often appears as...
- pay up the compensation
- pay up the damages
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
phrasal verb
To pay for a shared cost.
Everyone needs to pay up their part for the group dinner
Often appears as...
- pay up the share
- pay up the split cost
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Urgency Implied
Used when someone must pay immediately, often in a demanding situation.
The debt collectors came knocking, demanding he pay up.
Pro Tip 2/2Threat of Consequence
Implies a negative outcome if payment is not made, like losing service or facing a penalty.
Pay up now, or your electricity will be cut off.
Pro Tip 1/2Urgency Implied
Used when someone must pay immediately, often in a demanding situation.
The debt collectors came knocking, demanding he pay up.
Pro Tip 2/2Threat of Consequence
Implies a negative outcome if payment is not made, like losing service or facing a penalty.
Pay up now, or your electricity will be cut off.
Pro Tip 1/2Urgency Implied
Used when someone must pay immediately, often in a demanding situation.
The debt collectors came knocking, demanding he pay up.
Pro Tip 2/2Threat of Consequence
Implies a negative outcome if payment is not made, like losing service or facing a penalty.
Pay up now, or your electricity will be cut off.
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