Can you use the term “harbour a cost”?

[Dieselfungus]

As in, he will harbour the cost of the refurbishment himself.

I always thought it meant to incur and it sounds right to me - but google search suggests I made it up!! Awkward

Nope - or at least I haven't heard it before.

I'm imagining someone setting some money aside ready to pay when the need arises though - quite like the idea of having money in harbour!

No, haven't heard it...only to harbour a grudge or to foot the costs.

Ugh I’m so stupid!!!

No, it might be in use, I just haven't come across it.

Shouldering the cost, as in, he will shoulder the cost personally, sounds more correct in my mind.

I have heard the term harbouring a grudge against someone, but I can't say I have seen it used in financial terms.

However, if I was told someone would be harbouring a cost, I believe I would be able to make sense of what they meant or at least get the gist of it. It would depend on the person to make sense of it really, some could put the pieces together, some would ask for clarification.

It's certainly not a common term though.

Are you thinking of "harbour a hidden cost", but that's in the sense of hiding/concealing/sheltering, rather than incurring?

it’s not a phrase but I’d probably get what you meant

I’d say he’s covering the cost.

I think I meant shoulder!!

for some reason I was absolutely convinced I was correct 😂