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

He came up with this idea that Hurley was a repo man who was just so charming and good at his job that people would just end up giving their stuff back.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2024

To some, it were as though the government had threatened to have the repo man come in the night to cart away their ranges.

From Washington Post • Jan. 18, 2023

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