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Phrase(s): cash something in (for something)
to exchange a security for money; to convert a foreign currency to one’s own currency; to turn gaming tokens or poker chips in for money. (See also cash (one’s chips) in.) • I cashed the bonds in for a cashier’s check. • I cashed in my bonds for their face value., Phrase(s): cash in (on something)
Fig. to earn a lot of money at something; to make a profit at something. • This is a good year for drug stocks, and you can cash in on it if you’re smart. • It’s too late to cash in on that particular clothing fad., Phrase(s): cash (one’s chips) in
1. Lit. to turn in one’s gaming tokens or poker chips when one quits playing. • When you leave the game, you should cash your chips in. • Cash in your chips before you go. • I’m going to cash in. 2. Fig. to quit [anything], as if one were cashing in gaming tokens; to leave or go to bed. • I guess I’ll cash my chips in and go home. • Well, it’s time to cash in my chips and go home. • I’m really tired. I’m going to cash in. 3. and cash one’s checks in Euph. to die; to finish the "game of life." • There’s a funeral procession. Who cashed his chips in? • Poor Fred cashed in his chips last week., Phrase(s): cash something in
to exchange something with cash value for the amount of money it is worth. • I should have cashed my insurance policy in years ago. • It’s time to cash in your U. S. savings bonds.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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1. Settle an account, close a matter, quit, as in I'm simply going to cash in and leave, or The countries of the former Soviet Union have cashed in. [Late 1800s] 2. Profit handsomely, as in When the stock price went up, we really cashed in. This phrase often is extended to cash in on, meaning to take advantage of. [Early 1900s] 3. Also, cash in one's chips. Die, as in If this new treatment fails, Bob may be cashing in his chips before long. This usage was a transfer from quitting a poker game. [Slang; late 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms