Phrase guide

cold hard cash

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Money, regarded as an incentive that can override any doubts or ethical concerns.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • The study found that appeals to altruism had limits in changing people's behavior, whereas cold hard cash was somewhat more effective.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cold cash, hard cash

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Money in the form of banknotes and coins as opposed to electronic money, credit, and checks.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • The locals laughed when asked about forms of payment at the barber shop. "No credit cards, no checks — just cold hard cash!"

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cold cash, hard cash

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Ready money.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • The company had produced several millionaires, but they were illiquid, with not nearly as much cold hard cash as nonrich people might tend to imagine.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cold cash, hard cash

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

Money in the form of specie, as contrasted with paper money.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic, idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • As the war dragged on, greybacks became difficult to spend, as many sellers were taking only cold hard cash.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cold cash, hard cash

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.