1 B1 idiomatic informal
To earn a great deal of money on a regular basis or over a period of time.
"Ever since she launched her online course, she's been absolutely raking it in."
inseparable
rake it in
B1 informal intransitive
To make a very large amount of money, used without specifying exactly what is earned.
In plain English
To earn loads of money — usually said when someone is getting very rich.
What does "rake it in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
Used to express that a business or person is being very commercially successful.
"The fast-food chain is raking it in while its workers are paid minimum wage."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Raking something — pulling in scattered coins/objects with a rake.
Actually means
To earn loads of money — usually said when someone is getting very rich.
Usage tip
The 'it' is fixed and does not refer to anything specific — this is a set idiomatic expression. Cannot be separated. Used to comment on someone who is earning impressively large sums, sometimes with envy or mild disapproval.
Words that pair with "rake it in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
really absolutely just simply must be seem to be
How to conjugate "rake it in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rake it in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rakes it in
he/she/it
Past simple
raked it in
yesterday
Past participle
raked it in
have + pp
-ing form
raking it in
continuous
Hear "rake it in" in the wild
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