cold hard cash
Money, regarded as an incentive that can override any doubts or ethical concerns.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He prefers to pay for everything in cold hard cash.”
“The company offered a massive bonus in cold hard cash to convince the manager to stay.”
“Despite his moral reservations about the project, the promise of cold hard cash ultimately compelled him to sign the contract.”
- 01
a cold day in July
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
- 02
blow hot and cold
To behave inconsistently; to vacillate or to waver, as between extremes of opinion or emotion.
- 03
bone hard
As hard as a bone, rock hard.
- 04
cash in one's chips
To discontinue an activity, accepting whatever gains or losses one has incurred; to give up.
- 05
cash on the barrelhead
Money in the form of paper currency or coins, paid immediately at the time and place of a transaction: cash only (no credit), and at the point of sale.
- 06
cash up
to count the money taken by a business at the end of the day.
- 07
cashed up
Rich; having a high income; suddenly in possession of a large amount of money.
- 08
catch a cold
To contract a cold.
Last updated August 10, 2026