verb
pony
To pay money, especially reluctantly or as one's share.
Everyone ponies up ten dollars to cover the pizza bill.
Etymology
Origin uncertain. Pony up means to pay; neither a horse-based explanation nor a particular wager reliably establishes its history.
More examples
- I reluctantly ponied up the extra fee for checked baggage.
- If you want to join the league, you must pony up.
- We're each ponying up half the cost of the gift.
Forms
pony · ponies · ponied · ponying
Similar words
- pay
- Neutral term without the suggestion of reluctance or shared costs.
- contribute
- Emphasizes giving a share, which need not be money.