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

• 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

After a disappointing 2024 season, Alonso has bounced back and could cash in this winter, to Rogers' point. —Mike Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025

By opening Imax 70mm showtimes up a year out, Universal fostered a secondary market of ticket scalpers looking to cash in on the limited supply of opening weekend showtimes. —Brent Lang, Variety, 17 July 2025

Although Polly Pocket toys were discontinued in 2012, Mattel brought them back in 2018, catering to a new generation of children and cashing in on retro nostalgia. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 16 July 2025

While officials cash in, residents are still waiting for basic lighting and infrastructure. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 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