PhrasesHub

Cash cow

    Definitions

      • a reliable source of income or profit
        Referring to a person, business, or investment that consistently brings in significant profits or revenue.

      • a profitable product or venture
        Describing a product or venture that generates a substantial amount of money for a company or individual.

      • a situation or opportunity to make money easily
        Referring to a favorable situation or opportunity to make money with little effort or risk involved.

    Examples of Cash cow

    • The pharmaceutical company's best-selling drug has become a cash cow for the company, generating millions in profits each year.

      A cash cow is a product or business that generates a large amount of profit with little effort or expense required. In this example, the pharmaceutical company's best-selling drug has become a reliable source of income, requiring minimal resources to maintain its profitability.

    • The sports team's star player is a cash cow, bringing in a significant amount of revenue through merchandise sales and endorsement deals.

      In this example, the athlete's popularity and success have made them a valuable asset to the team, generating a significant amount of income through merchandise sales and endorsement deals.

    • The company's newest product has the potential to be a cash cow, with high demand and low production costs.

      This example highlights the potential for a product to become a cash cow, with high demand and low production costs resulting in significant profits for the company.

    • The real estate investment has become a cash cow, with steady rental income and minimal maintenance costs.

      In this example, the investment has become a reliable source of income, with consistent rental income and low maintenance costs resulting in significant profits for the investor.

    • The writer's best-selling novel has become a cash cow, with multiple sequels and spin-offs generating additional revenue.

      This example demonstrates how a successful product can lead to additional revenue through sequels and spin-offs, further increasing its profitability.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "cash cow" is commonly used to describe something or someone that consistently brings in a significant amount of money. It can refer to a person, business, investment, or product that is a reliable source of income or profit. It can also be used to describe a situation or opportunity to make money easily.

    In business, a "cash cow" is often used to describe a product or venture that generates a substantial amount of revenue for a company. This can be seen in the fast food industry, where popular menu items such as burgers or fries are considered "cash cows" because they bring in a steady flow of profits.

    The term "cash cow" can also be used in a negative sense, to describe a situation where a company is relying too heavily on one product or source of income and is not actively seeking new opportunities for growth. This can lead to complacency and a decline in profits if the "cash cow" product or venture becomes outdated or loses popularity.

    Origin of "Cash cow"

    The origin of the idiom "cash cow" can be traced back to the dairy industry. In the 19th century, cows were a major source of income for farmers, as their milk and dairy products were highly sought after. Farmers would often refer to their most productive cows as their "cash cows" because they were reliable sources of income.

    The term was later adopted in the business world to refer to a reliable source of income or profit. It gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s when companies began to use it to describe their most successful products or ventures.

    Today, the idiom is used in various industries and contexts to describe anything that brings in a steady flow of money. Its origin in the dairy industry highlights the idea of something being a dependable source of income, just like a cow that provides milk every day.