Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to put into the kitty

to put into the kitty

6.2
Give money to a shared pot to pay for something the group needs
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : contribuir
  • We decided to put into the kitty so that we could afford a group gift for our colleague's retirement.

Examples

  • This pays the group $450, which they immediately put into the "kitty" to help pay for future parties and causes here on the shores.

    Blog text (22)

  • Everyone agreed to put into the kitty for the team's upcoming trip to the tournament.

  • To cover the cost of the shared dinner, everyone needs to put into the kitty before ordering.

Synonyms

to chip in
vsto put into the kitty
31 3.2

Give money or help together to reach a shared goal

is given into a single communal fund for a clear purpose
to kick in
vsto put into the kitty
  • Informal
18 4.1

Give money to help pay for a shared cost

is pooled into one communal fund for a specific purpose rather than general support
to put one's hand in one's pocket
vsto put into the kitty
8.1

To give money willingly, often when it is not needed

is about putting money into a communal fund for a specific purpose

Antonyms

to withdraw
159 3.5

To take money or things out of a place where they are kept

How Much

to endow
  • Formal
18 6.1
to donate
457 2.7
to contribute
883 2.7
to put into the kitty
  • Informal
6.2
to chip in
31 3.2

Surface Forms

put into the kitty infinitive

Morphology

put + into + the + kitty

The meaning 'to contribute money to a shared fund' is directly derivable from combining 'put' (place) + 'into' (inside) with 'kitty' (pooled cash); the phrase is a straightforward spatial/container metaphor applied to money. Assuming the learner knows the noun 'kitty' as a pooled fund, this construction follows common compositional patterns and would be clear to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Put into the kitty comes from old card games, where players put money into a small shared pot called the kitty. So, to 'put into the kitty' now means to give money to a shared fund for the group.