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

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, 4 Feb. 2026

This isn’t just a case of season ticket-holders taking advantage of a chance to cash in on Montreal fans’ willingness to travel, though there is some of that. —Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026

Former councilman Mitchell Englander went to prison for obstructing an FBI investigation into his acceptance of $10,000 in cash in a casino bathroom, plus $1,000 in gambling chips, $34,000 in bottle service, an expensive dinner and at least one female escort. —Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026

Coffee chains are racing to cash in on that demand. —Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026

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