# cold hard cash

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cold-hard-cash
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Money, regarded as an incentive that can override any doubts or ethical concerns.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.