Pay-up

The loss of cash resulting from a swap into higher price bonds or the need/willingness of a bank or other borrower to pay a higher rate of interest to get funds. Used in the context of general equities. (1)Situation when an investor who wants to buy a stock at a particular price hesitates and the stock begins to rise; instead of letting the stock go, he "pays up" to buy the shares at the higher prevailing price. 2) Buy shares in a high quality company at what is felt to be a high, but worthy, price due to its quality.