Cash in on means make money or gain an advantage from a situation: a trend, a film's success, sudden demand. Local cafés cashed in on the interest in the trail, so they did well from the crowds. When the profit comes from someone else's trouble or private story, it becomes criticism.
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cash in on an opportunity / trend / success
- Local cafés cashed in on the sudden interest in the walking trail.
- Several companies tried to cash in on the film's popularity.
- She refused to cash in on her friend's private story.
What changed
First versionThe shops cashed in the festival's popularity.
RevisionThe shops cashed in on the festival's popularity.
Many verbs take their object directly, so on is easy to drop: cashed in the popularity. But the expression needs all three parts: cash in on. Cash in without on means something else: exchange for money, as in cash in your vouchers.
Benefit from is neutral: students benefit from the new library. Cash in on means cleverly making money from a situation: companies cashed in on the film's popularity. Say students cashed in on the library, and it sounds as if they were exploiting it.
Your turn
Complete the expression meaning profit from a situation: Sellers tried to cash in ___ the unexpected demand.
Show the answer
on — The situation people profit from is introduced by on: cash in on the demand. At doesn't fit here.
Describe how a shop, café or blogger made money from a sudden trend or event.
The bookshop cashed in on the town's history festival by extending its evening opening hours.
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