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chip in

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chip in

 (on something) and chip something in (on something)

1. to contribute a small amount of money to a fund that will be used to buy something. Could you chip in a dollar on the gift, please?

2. chip in (on something) (for someone) to contribute money toward a gift for someone. Would you please chip in on the present for Richard? Will you chip in for Randy?

See also: chip

chip in (with something) (on something) (for someone)

 and chip in (with something) (for something) (for someone); chip something in (on something) (for someone)

to contribute money for a gift for someone. Would you like to chip in with a little cash on a gift for Carol? I will chip in a little with you on a gift for Carol. Would you chip in with a few bucks for a gift for Carol? Would you chip a few bucks in on a gift for Carol? Would you care to chip in on a gift for the teacher? Yes, I'd be happy to chip in.

See also: chip

chip something in

(on something) Go to chip in (on something).

See also: chip

chip something in

(on something) (for someone) Go to chip in (with something) (on something) (for someone).

See also: chip

chip in (something)

to pay for part of something with other people They each chipped in $50 to take their parents out to dinner at a fine restaurant.

See also: chip

chip in

1. Contribute money, help, or advice, as in If we all chip in we'll have enough to buy a suitable gift, or Everyone chipped in with ideas for the baby shower. Mark Twain used this term in Roughing It (1872): "I'll be there and chip in and help, too." [Mid-1800s]

2. In poker and other games, to put up chips or money as one's bet. For example, I'll chip in another hundred but that's my limit or, as Bret Harte put it in Gabriel Conroy (1876): "You've jest cut up thet rough with my higher emotions, there ain't enough left to chip in on a ten-cent ante." [Mid-1800s]

See also: chip

chip in

v.

1. To contribute something toward some general pool or effort: They chipped a few bucks in for snacks. We all chipped in $5 for supplies. Everybody ought to chip in so that no one gets stuck with all of the costs.

2. To put up chips or money as one's bet in poker and other games: After each player chipped in $1, I dealt the cards. You're not getting any cards until you chip in.

3. To interrupt a conversation with comments; interject: I wanted to chip in, but I couldn't get a word in edgewise. You can chip in any time.

See also: chip