- To make a large amount of money, often quickly or easily.
Explanation
Origin
- Metaphorical, comparing gathering money easily to using a garden rake to gather leaves into a large pile effortlessly.
- Dates back to the late 19th or early 20th century.
- Implies abundance and minimal effort relative to the reward.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Making bank
- Killing it (financially)
- Stacking paper / Stacking bread (Urban slang)
- Getting paid (Emphasizes receiving money)
- Coini_ng it in_ (UK)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Making fuckloads of money
- Bringing in shit tons of cash
Milder:
- Doing very well financially
- Generating substantial profits
- Highly profitable
- Earning a significant income
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Acceptable in casual business chat but might be too informal for official reports (use generating significant revenue instead).
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The literal image of a rake might confuse non-native speakers.
- Emphasize the meaning of earning *a lot* of money *easily* or *quickly*.
Examples
- Their online store became an overnight success; they're really raking it in now.
- During the holidays, toy companies rake in the cash.
Dialogue
A: That new influencer is everywhere! Seems like every brand wants to work with her.
B: Yeah, I bet she's absolutely raking it in with all those sponsorships.
A: Seriously! Must be nice earning money just by posting pictures.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Just saw the profit reports for @TechGiant Inc. They are seriously raking it in this quarter! #BusinessNews #Earnings
- Instagram Story Caption: Side hustle is finally paying off! Starting to rake in the cash 💰 #EntrepreneurLife #Success
- Forum Post: Thinking of starting a dropshipping store. Heard you can really rake it in if you find the right niche. Any tips?
Response Patterns
- Wow, good for them!
- How are they managing that?
- I wish I could rake it in like that!
- They must be doing something right.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Asking about the business or source of income: What's their secret? / What business are they in?
- Speculating on the amount: How much do you think they're making?
- Discussing the perceived ease or fairness of the income.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Usually a comment about a successful person, company, or venture.
Intonation
- Often said with admiration, envy, or sometimes slight disapproval if the method seems unfair.
- Stress usually on RAKE and IN. RAKING it IN.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across generations.
Regional Variations
- Common across English-speaking regions.
- Coining it is more distinctly British.