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

But Ryan Donato cashed in on the Hawks’ only power play of the game. —Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025

Riley eventually cashed in on the trademark when Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls won a third consecutive championship in 1993, becoming the first NBA team to do that since the mid-1960s Celtics. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025

They are not allowed to aggregate contracts in a trade or send out cash in a trade. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2025

Homeowners can simply walk away from the burden, cash in hand, for a fair and reasonable price without any hidden fees or expenses. —Kc Property Group, Kansas City Star, 2 Feb. 2025

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