How do you use "Cash Cow" in a sentence?

That patent's their cash cow. The car park is a real cash cow.

Cash Cow

Q: What does "Cash Cow" mean?

Reliable source of income A business, product, or investment that consistently generates profit with little effort.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Meaning: Reliable source of income

摇钱树，现金奶牛

Vaca lechera, gallina de los huevos de oro

ドル箱、金のなる木

효자 상품, 돈줄

A business, product, or investment that consistently generates profit with little effort.

能够以很少的投入持续产生利润的业务、产品或投资。

Un negocio, producto o inversión que genera beneficios de forma constante con poco esfuerzo.

ほとんど手間をかけずに安定して利益を生み出すビジネス、製品、投資。

적은 노력으로 꾸준히 수익을 창출하는 사업, 제품 또는 투자.

Examples

That patent's their cash cow.
那个专利是他们的摇钱树
Esa patente es su gallina de los huevos de oro
あの特許が彼らのドル箱だ
그 특허가 그들의 효자 상품이다.
The car park is a real cash cow.
那个停车场真是棵摇钱树
El aparcamiento es una auténtica vaca lechera
あの駐車場は本当に金のなる木だ
저 주차장은 진짜 돈줄이다.

Pronunciation

/kæʃ kaʊ/

Usage Guide

Context: business

Tone: appreciative

✓ Do Say

Business discussions
商业讨论
Conversaciones de negocios
ビジネスの話題
사업 이야기

✗ Don't Say

About people
不要用来形容人
No se usa para referirse a personas
人に対しては使わない
사람에 대해

Common Mistakes

Positive term

Origin & History

Business term from BCG matrix, 1970s. Like a cow that keeps producing milk.

Cultural Context

Era: 1970s

Generation: All ages

Social background: Business

Pop culture: Business jargon

Regional notes: Universal.

Variations

Cash cow