What does shell out mean?

[Geertje]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #768 "Money: Phrasal Verbs (3)", question 3

Richard has to shell ......... some money before he can get his daughter out of jail. She was charged with impaired driving yesterday and her bail was set at $5000.

(a) off
(b) over
(c) in
(d) out

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #768 "Money: Phrasal Verbs (3)", answer 3

Richard has to shell out some money before he can get his daughter out of jail. She was charged with impaired driving yesterday and her bail was set at $5000.

Correct answer: (d) out

Your answer was: correct
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What does shell out means?

[Beeesneees]

It is an idiom which means 'give' or 'pay'. (Often used when the person doing the giving does so with a little reluctance).
It is a casual term, and would not be used in business.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Torsten]