outlay vs. expenditure

[thedaffodils]

Hi,

Does outlay refer to spend money on some particular item, while expenditure refers to spend money on anything?

Despite the huge outlay, only 80 per cent of trips are being logged by what remains of the eBorders programme.
Six million people arriving by train – which includes Eurostar – do not undergo advance checks.

Can I replace "outlay" with expenditure in above context? I think outlay is better.

Thank you!

 

[Matthew Wai]

You may be interested to see the 'Usage note' on http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/outlay

Not a teacher.

 

[Tdol]

Can I replace "outlay" with expenditure in above context? I think outlay is better.

You would be changing the meaning- outlay is the set-up costs, while expenditure could include the running costs.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think 'outlay' is similar to 'seed money', according to the definitions in dictionaries.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/seed+money

Not a teacher.