Shell out Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈʃɛɫ/ /ˈaʊt

SHELL-owt

UK

ʃˈɛl/ /ˈaʊt

SHELL-owt

Definition

To pay money for something, especially when you do not want to or when it is a large amount.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, common in everyday speech. Used when paying reluctantly or for large, unexpected expenses. Often followed by an amount ('shell out $50'), and sometimes for things seen as overpriced or unavoidable costs.

• Spanish: soltar dinero - desembolsar
• Portuguese (BR): desembolsar - gastar (dinheiro)
• Portuguese (PT): desembolsar - gastar (dinheiro)
• Chinese (Simplified): 掏钱 - 付钱
• Chinese (Traditional): 拿出錢 - 付錢
• Hindi: पैसे देना - खर्च करना
• Arabic: دفع المال - أنفق
• Bengali: টাকা খরচ করা - টাকা গুনে দেওয়া
• Russian: выложить деньги - раскошелиться
• Japanese: お金を払う - お金をしぶしぶ出す
• Vietnamese: bỏ tiền ra - chi tiền
• Korean: 돈을 내다 - 돈을 쓰다
• Turkish: para ödemek - istemeden para vermek
• Urdu: پیسے دینا - مجبوراً پیسے خرچ کرنا
• Indonesian: mengeluarkan uang - merogoh kocek

Example Sentences

We had to shell out a lot of money for the car repairs.

basic

I don't want to shell out for another phone.

basic

You have to shell out before you can get the tickets.

basic

I can't believe I had to shell out fifty bucks for parking downtown.

natural

We always have to shell out more than we expect when we go out to eat.

natural

If you want quality, sometimes you have to shell out a bit extra.

natural