1. Home
2. Idioms
3. pony up

pony up

---

---

pony up (something)

to pay money The price of gas increased and homeowners had to pony up more than anyone expected this winter.

Related vocabulary: come up with something

See also: pony, up

pony up

Pay money that is owed or due, as in Come on, it's time you ponied up this month's rent. The allusion in this expression is unclear. [c. 1820]

See also: pony, up

pony up

v. Slang

To pay some amount of money that is owed or due: I had to pony up $6 for a hot dog at the airport. The star was charging $100 for an autograph, but fans gladly ponied it up. You said you'd repay me last week, so pony up!

See also: pony, up

pony up

Pay the money. “Pony” has nothing to do with small equines—it comes from pone, the Latin word for “put” (so does the Spanish verb poner). Therefore, if you owe someone money, you'd better pony up.

See also: pony, up