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

At the Gold Digger Pawn Shop in Elk Grove, owner Mark Hutchason said business has picked up significantly as customers look to cash in on the high prices. —Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Seeing a sudden infusion of cash in your bank account? —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026

The jury deliberated briefly on Tuesday in the case of Barnett, who is accused of paying Thomas over $40,000 cash in an outlandish scheme detailed by prosecutors over three weeks of testimony. —Sydney Pereira, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026

Capital gains, income and taxes Investors who cashed in a few chips as the S & P 500 jumped 16% in 2025 will likely be on the hook for capital gains taxes. —Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 27 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