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 of cash in

• use
• abuse
• exploit
• walk on
• leverage
• play (on or upon)
• capitalize (on)
• manipulate
• trade on
• impose (on or upon)

Examples of cash in in a Sentence

some observers thought the lawyers were cashing in on the tragedy

Recent Examples on the Web

Robbins hoped to cash in on the city’s new status as a tourist destination, and the fact that the cyclorama was just a couple of blocks from the train station didn’t hurt either. —Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Dec. 2025

The cash option is a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool. —Tanya Wildt, Freep.com, 26 Dec. 2025

Or wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who cashed in on a $500,000 bonus against the Colts for breaking 500 yards receiving after returning to the 49ers in early September with Brandon Aiyuk rehabbing a knee injury before going absent without leave. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025

The pending legislation also requires reverse ATMs, which let people put cash in to get an electronic card loaded with money. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for cash in

• ashen
• fashion
• passion
• ration
• aurignacian
• internation
• compassion

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