flash for cash

adjective

Pertaining to a scam where a motorist flashes their headlights to indicate to another driver to proceed against normal give-way rules, then runs into them and sues for damages.

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Meanings

adjectiveflash for cash (not comparable)
  1. UKidiomaticinformalnot comparableautomotivePertaining to a scam where a motorist flashes their headlights to indicate to another driver to proceed against normal give-way rules, then runs into them and sues for damages.
  2. Australiaidiomaticinformalnot comparableautomotivePertaining to speed cameras.

Origin

First sense drives from the UK practice of flashing lights at another car to indicate they can proceed, + cash. Second sense derives from the flash of the camera's light.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

flash for cash. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/flash%20for%20cash

MLA

“flash for cash.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/flash%20for%20cash. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “flash for cash,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/flash%20for%20cash.

Source: flash for cash on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.