shell out

British  

verb

1. informal (adverb) to pay out or hand over (money)

---

shell out Idioms  

1. Pay, hand over, as in We had to shell out $1,000 for auto repairs. This expression transfers taking a seed such as a pea or nut out of its pod or shell to taking money out of one's pocket. [Colloquial; c. 1800]

---

Etymology

Origin of shell out

C19: from _shell (in the sense: to remove from a pod or (figuratively) a purse)

Example Sentences

Airbnb hosts are viewing the games as a gold mine, hoping soccer fans will shell out thousands to stay near the stadium.

From Los Angeles Times

Tartan Army foot soldiers have already shelled out thousands for travel arrangements and are now turning their attention to match tickets ahead of the application window opening.

From BBC

It will also shell out roughly $11.7 billion in stock to Warner investors and absorb Warner’s $10.7 billion in studios and streaming debt in the deal, which carries an enterprise value of $82.7 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal

Producers in France see a rise in sales around December, as people shell out to have the treat during Christmas and New Year's Day celebrations.

From BBC

Is there any way I can reduce my insurance rate, or do I just need to suck it up and shell out the money?

From MarketWatch