English Reference

Phrasal verb

cash up

Definition

phrasal verb. to count all the money in a shop's cash machine at the end of the day. You do this to make sure the total matches the sales records.

phrasal verb. to count the total amount of money taken in a retail or hospitality business at the end of a trading period. The verb is primarily intransitive but may take 'the till' or 'the takings' as a direct object.

Examples

“The shop assistant stays late every night to cash up.”

“After the last customer left the restaurant, the manager began cashing up the till to prepare for tomorrow.”

“The supervisor noticed a significant shortfall while cashing up, prompting an immediate review of the afternoon's transactions and staff logs.”

Examples

simple

“The shop assistant stays late every night to cash up.”

contextual

“After the last customer left the restaurant, the manager began cashing up the till to prepare for tomorrow.”

complex

“The supervisor noticed a significant shortfall while cashing up, prompting an immediate review of the afternoon's transactions and staff logs.”

Usage

This phrase is most common in British English within retail and hospitality environments.

Teaching tip

Explain that this is a specific workplace task; it differs from 'cashing in' which means to profit from a situation.

Pitfall

I need to cash up this check at the bank.

I need to cash this check at the bank.

Learners often add 'up' when they simply mean to exchange a check for money at a bank.

Phrasal verb

Particles

up

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

cash + up (+ object)

Synonyms

count the tillbalance the booksreconcile

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference