cash in

verb

cashed in; cashing in; cashes in

transitive verb

: to obtain cash for

cashed in the bonds

intransitive verb

1

a

: to retire from a gambling game

b

: to settle accounts and withdraw from an involvement (such as a business deal)

2

: to obtain advantage or financial profit

—often used with on

cash in on a bestseller

Synonyms

• abuse
• capitalize (on)
• exploit
• impose (on or upon)
• leverage
• milk
• pimp
• play (on or upon)
• use
• work

Examples of cash in in a Sentence

some observers thought the lawyers were cashing in on the tragedy

Recent Examples on the Web

Investors who are willing to look past a steep valuation and the lack of buybacks would cash in on a $124 billion annual payout that Bloomberg Intelligence estimates will give the company a dividend yield of 6.6%. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 June 2024

Trump could one day cash in and bail from the company – which could hurt shareholders like Peedin. —Rafael Nam, NPR, 2 June 2024

West Aurora stranded two runners on base in each of the first two innings but couldn’t cash in. —Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2024

The start-up industry has also been in a downturn since 2022, with higher interest rates sending capital fleeing from risky bets and a dismal market for initial public offerings crimping opportunities for investors to cash in on their valuable investments. —Erin Griffith, New York Times, 23 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

cash in

verb

1

: to obtain cash for

cashed in her bonds

2

: to benefit financially

souvenir sellers cashed in at the fair

cashing in on their brother's fame