chip in

verb

1. to contribute (money, time, etc) to a cause or fund
2. intr to interpose a remark or interrupt with a remark

More About Chip In

What does chip in mean?

Chip in means to contribute something, such as money or time, to a cause or fund, as in Every member of the team chipped in to help pay for the coach’s surgery. 

In this sense, chip in can also mean to contribute advice or wisdom, as in We all chipped in with suggestions for the band’s name. 

Related to this, chip in can also mean to add poker chips or money to a bet in a poker game or similar, as in The shrewd gambler chipped in another $50 after calling the bet. 

To chip in can mean to interrupt with a comment or remark, similar to chime in, as in We were having a pleasant conversation until the rude stranger decided to chip in. 

Example: We can fix up this old house if we all chip in and work together. 

Where does chip in come from?

The first records of the contribute sense of chip in come from around 1861, while the first records of the interruption sense come from around 1870 and the betting sense come from around 1891. Author Mark Twain used the term in his book Roughing It (1872).

Chip in is a common term used in discussions of charity or fundraising drives. You can use it to try to persuade people to help or contribute something. If you’re trying to raise support for a charity, it can help to remind people that everyone’s contributions will add up to accomplish something big, as in We can save the park if we all just chip in a little bit of money. 

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for chip in?

• contribute
• pitch in
• donate
• chime in
• ante up

What are some words that share a root or word element with chip in? 

• chip
• in

What are some words that often get used in discussing chip in?

• charity
• fundraising
• teamwork
• bet

How is chip in used in real life?

Chip in is a common term that is most often used to describe group efforts or people helping out a cause.

#Narcos is so addictive! Why @netflix whyyyyyyy?! I cant wait until 2016 for season 2! If we all chip in 5$ can we move up that air date?!

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) September 7, 2015

The Los Angeles Angels have already scored 9 runs in the 1st inning against the Tigers. Mike Trout chipped in with a grand slam.

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 20, 2013

My housemates got loads of friends to chip in to get me a Liverpool shirt and they gave it to me bang on midnight and I can’t believe how sweet that was 😩

— Rahul (@RahulDewan07) November 21, 2018

Try using chip in!

Is chip in used correctly in the following sentence?

The entire community chipped in to donate to the endangered wildlife fund.