to pony up
21
8.2
- phrasal verb
- /ˈpoʊni ʌp/
- Informal
:
soltar la pasta (informal)
- The IMF will pony up 10 billion euros according to its rules of engagement.
- pony up millions
- pony up money
- pony up a few bucks
It would behoove these asses to pony up for a lawyer.
- It would behoove these asses to pony up for a lawyer.
- To sell short, you have to pony up the full capital to collateralize that trade.
- And I think it's I appreciate how they allowed for the fan base to find the product without having to pony up money for the product.
- So yeah, you were ponying up for one of the most expensive phones on the market, but in exchange you got one of the most feature rich and versatile phones on the market.
- They were so happy and I was so thrilled that that we were able to hook them up and SeatGeek just ponied up and and good guy SeatGeek.
Examples
-
So pony up with some cash.
-
Who's ready to pony up for a new hockey arena in Lincoln?
Blog text (4) -
So he'll pony up for the summer session?
-
- All right, guys, pony up.
-
So if they fail, you will have to pony up more money.
-
I guess I will have to pony up $80 for the premium upgrade.
Blog text (16) -
Either you pony up the down payment or you're out.
Fiction book (1994) -
Still, I almost always eventually ponied up the cash for a gym membership.
Blog text (9) -
Come on, pony up!
-
To join the exclusive club, you'll need to pony up a hefty membership fee.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To give money for something you buy or owe
77
2.8
To pay for something, often for someone else
35
3.6
Give someone the money you owe them, often after they ask you
30
7.1
Pay a large amount of money even when you do not want to
29
5.3
To pay for something, often when it is expensive or unexpected
23
6.5
To pay money unwillingly after being pressured
22
7.6
To pay for something as a treat for other people
21
8.1
To pay money, often when you do not want to
18
4.1
Give money to help pay for a shared cost
15
6.1
To give money to someone after they ask or force you
8
7.8
Pay money you owe as your part of a shared bill
3
7.5
To pay money when you do not want to
2
8.9
To pay money in advance as a required deposit or guarantee
1
8.1
To pay money unwillingly
To give something, often money, because others make you do it
To give money willingly, often when it is not needed
How Willing
Surface Forms
Morphology
The particle 'up' contributes a sense of completion or handing over, which is a productive compositional pattern, but the core verb 'pony' is slang and its meaning 'to hand over money' is not predictable from the common noun 'pony' (the animal). Because the expression relies on a slang verb sense and conveys an attitudinal nuance (reluctant payment) that learners must have seen before, the phrase is only partly transparent.
Etymology
Pony up may come from old slang where pony meant a small sum of money, so putting the pony 'up' was a way to hand that money forward. So pony up now means 'to pay' or give money when it is expected, often even if you do not want to.