1 B1 neutral
To withdraw money from a bank account, ATM, or financial instrument, converting it into cash.
"She cashed out her retirement fund early and had to pay a penalty."
separable
cash out
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To withdraw all money from an account, convert holdings into cash, or leave a game with one's winnings.
In plain English
To take all your money out and leave, or to change something you own into cash.
What does "cash out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To leave a card game or gambling situation by exchanging one's chips or tokens for money.
"After doubling his money at the poker table, he decided to cash out and go home."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
(North American, informal) To sell all of one's shares, property, or stake in something.
"The founders cashed out when the company was acquired for a billion dollars."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To take cash out — the particle 'out' signals removing or departing with the money.
Actually means
To take all your money out and leave, or to change something you own into cash.
Usage tip
Common in banking (ATMs in the US often display 'cash out' options), gambling, and investment contexts. Also used in betting apps where players can 'cash out' a bet early. Growing in North American usage.
Words that pair with "cash out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
account winnings investment chips bet pension
How to conjugate "cash out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cash out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cashes out
he/she/it
Past simple
cashed out
yesterday
Past participle
cashed out
have + pp
-ing form
cashing out
continuous
Hear "cash out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "cash out"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
collect winnings encash liquidate redeem withdraw
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