Topic: HUMAN
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Origin: | From an unrecorded Old English cohhian |
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cough1
[intransitive]
[intransitive]1HBH to suddenly push air out of your throat with a short sound, often repeatedly : Matthew coughed and cleared his throat. I think I'm getting a cold or flu - I've been coughing and sneezing all day.
Matthew coughed and cleared his throat.I think I'm getting a cold or flu - I've been coughing and sneezing all day.2 to make a sudden sound like someone coughing : The engine coughed and spluttered, then stopped altogether.
The engine coughed and spluttered, then stopped altogether.cough up
phrasal verb1 informal to give someone money, information etc when you do not really want to : Come on, cough up.
Come on, cough up.2 to push something out of your throat or lungs into your mouth : You must go to the doctor if you're coughing up blood.
cough something ↔ up
You must go to the doctor if you're coughing up blood.