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 Housing Trust Fund received a temporary influx of cash in 2021 with federal COVID dollars and in 2022 when voters approved a $50 million bond for the program. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026

Moreover, not every tech worker is cashing in at the top of the market. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026

Boston had chances to swing momentum but struggled to fully cash in with runners in scoring position, leaving key opportunities on the table. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026

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, 28 Mar. 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