shell out an amount of money

shell out

To pay a sum of money, especially one that seems exorbitant or unfair. A noun or pronoun can be used between "shell" and "out" to specify the amount being paid. They said I had to shell out $200 to cancel my contract early! I know it's a lot of money, but you'll have to shell out if you want to join in. I'm going to have to shell nearly $3,000 out for a new water heater!See also: out, shell

shell out (an amount of money)

and shell (an amount of money) out tv. & in. to spend a certain amount of money. I’m not going to shell $400 out for that! See also: amount, money, of, out, shell