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

As one of the first college basketball stars to cash in on multiyear deals in the NIL boom, Bueckers has created a blueprint for what an athlete in the NIL era can achieve for herself and others. —Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 19 Feb. 2025

In North Carolina, the winners of drawing games have about six months to cash in, rules show. —Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2025

Will the Patriots rank among the NFL’s top spenders by cap space and/or cash in free agency? —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025

John said hopes the win will boost attendance at their gas station as future lottery hopefuls hope to cash in on the location's luck. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 13 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