How do you use "Shell Out" in a sentence?

We had to shell out for a new car. I'm always shelling out for repairs. Don't shell out too much for that. Shelled out a fortune for the trip.

Shell Out

Q: What does "Shell Out" mean?

To pay out money, especially reluctantly To spend money, often more than you'd like. From shelling peas—extracting money from your pocket like removing peas from shells.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: To pay out money, especially reluctantly

付钱，尤其是不情愿地

Pagar dinero, especialmente de mala gana

金を払う、特にしぶしぶ

돈을 내다, 특히 마지못해 쓰다

To spend money, often more than you'd like. From shelling peas—extracting money from your pocket like removing peas from shells.

花钱，通常是比你想花的更多。来自剥豌豆——像从壳里取出豌豆一样从钱包里掏钱。

Gastar dinero, a menudo más de lo que te gustaría. De desvainar guisantes—extraer dinero de tu bolsillo como sacar guisantes de las vainas.

お金を使う、しばしば使いたい以上に。豆を殻から出すことから——財布からお金を出すことを表す。

원하는 것보다 많은 돈을 쓰는 것. 완두콩 껍질을 벗기듯 주머니에서 돈을 꺼내는 데서 유래했다.

Examples

We had to shell out for a new car.
我们不得不掏钱买新车。
Tuvimos que soltar dinero por un coche nuevo.
新車に金を出さなきゃならなかった。
새 차에 돈을 쏟아야 했어.
I'm always shelling out for repairs.
我总是在掏钱修这修那。
Siempre estoy soltando dinero por reparaciones.
いつも修理に金を出してる。
항상 수리비에 돈이 나가.
Don't shell out too much for that.
别在那上面花太多钱。
No sueltes demasiado por eso.
あれにそんなに出さないで。
그거에 너무 많이 쓰지 마.
Shelled out a fortune for the trip.
为那次旅行花了一大笔钱。
Solté una fortuna por el viaje.
旅行に大金を出した。
여행에 큰돈을 썼어.

Pronunciation

/ʃel aʊt/

Usage Guide

Context: big purchases, reluctant spending

Tone: resigned, matter-of-fact

✓ Do Say

Shell out for.
掏钱买
Soltar por
に出す
~에 돈을 쓰다
Had to shell out.
不得不掏钱
Tuve que soltar
出さなきゃならなかった
돈을 내야 했어
Shelling out.
在掏钱
Soltando
出してる
돈을 쓰고 있어

✗ Don't Say

Usually implies significant amount
通常暗示大笔金额
Generalmente implica cantidad significativa
通常大きな金額を示す
보통 큰 금액을 뜻해요
Suggests some reluctance
暗示有些不情愿
Sugiere algo de reluctancia
ある程度の不本意を示す
어느 정도 마지못해 쓴다는 뉘앙스가 있어요

Common Mistakes

Not related to seashells
From shelling peas/nuts

Origin & History

From the action of shelling (removing from shell)—extracting money from your wallet. British and American usage from 19th century.

Etymology: From shelling—extracting money like peas from pods

First recorded: English usage from 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in expense discussions; Universal English expression

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.

Variations

Shell outShell out forShelling out