repo man

American  

[ree-poh man] / ˈri poʊ ˌmæn /

noun

Informal.

1. a person employed to repossess or take back high-priced merchandise, such as motor vehicles or machinery, from buyers who have failed to pay.

   The specter of the repo man haunts many Americans who have fallen behind in their car payments.

   I haven't paid my bills in months, my credit cards are maxed out, and the repo man is threatening to come around.

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Etymology

Origin of repo man

First recorded in 1960–65; see repo ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

In seconds, the veteran repo man dragged the blue SUV into the cool night.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

The repo man isn’t just in a tow truck anymore.

From Washington Post • Mar. 2, 2022

John Heinkel, a professional repo man with a full head of graying hair and a small and scrappy build, hoists a Lime scooter on its back wheel, setting off the alarm underneath the scooter’s brake.

From The Verge • Jul. 24, 2019

I’m just kidding about going all repo man.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 17, 2018

The repo man has taken her Nissan Xterra twice.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2017