cold hard cash

Noun

cold hard cash (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic) Money, regarded as an incentive that can override any doubts or ethical concerns.
   • The study found that appeals to altruism had limits in changing people's behavior, whereas cold hard cash was somewhat more effective.

   Synonyms:

   cold cash, hard cash

2. (idiomatic) Money in the form of banknotes and coins as opposed to electronic money, credit, and checks.
   • The locals laughed when asked about forms of payment at the barber shop. "No credit cards, no checks — just cold hard cash!"

   Synonyms:

   cold cash, hard cash

3. (idiomatic) Ready money.
   • 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.

   Synonyms:

   cold cash, hard cash

4. (archaic, idiomatic) Money in the form of specie, as contrasted with paper money.
   • As the war dragged on, greybacks became difficult to spend, as many sellers were taking only cold hard cash.

   Synonyms:

   cold cash, hard cash