Phrasal verb
cash in on
Definition
phrasal verb. to take advantage of a situation to make money or get a benefit, often in a way that seems unfair.
phrasal verb. to exploit a specific situation, trend, or event for personal gain, typically financial; often carries a pejorative connotation of opportunism.
Examples
“Some companies try to cash in on the latest health trends.”
“The local shops are cashing in on the thousands of tourists visiting for the festival.”
“While the technology was originally intended for public safety, several private firms quickly moved to cash in on the lucrative data-mining opportunities it presented.”
Examples
simple
“Some companies try to cash in on the latest health trends.”
contextual
“The local shops are cashing in on the thousands of tourists visiting for the festival.”
complex
“While the technology was originally intended for public safety, several private firms quickly moved to cash in on the lucrative data-mining opportunities it presented.”
Usage
always followed by the situation or event being exploited.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'take advantage of' which can be neutral; 'cash in on' almost always implies a selfish or purely commercial motive.
Pitfall
They cashed on the opportunity.
They cashed in on the opportunity.
both 'in' and 'on' are required to form this specific phrasal verb.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
cash + in + on + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/cash-in-on