cash desk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cash desk" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in retail or hospitality contexts to refer to the place where transactions are processed and payments are made. Example: "Please proceed to the cash desk to complete your purchase and collect your receipt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

At the cash desk, he handed over his credit card.

The New Yorker

Then, when I paid for my purchases at the cash desk, they formed a semi circle around me.

The Guardian - Travel

"Just give the cash desk a Mars bar," he was once recorded saying, "and they'll set [Libor] wherever you want".

The Guardian - Business

On entering either of the Marais stores you find yourself in an apparently small room with a cash desk, a few accessories and nothing else.

Independent

'A woman dropped dead in the street,' he said to the girl at the cash desk, who had just finished making a telephone call.

The New Yorker

I collected the shoes the next day, tried them on and took the unwanted pair to the cash desk for a refund.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

American investigators said Daimler used slush funds referred to as "cash desks" to pay officials in 22 countries including China, Turkmenistan and Iraq.

The New York Times

Take the three "cash desks" it set up in its offices, to which employees could bring empty suitcases to be filled with cash.

The Economist

In certain cases, Daimler made bribes from "cash desks," allowing employees to take out large amounts of currency to make payments to foreign officials.

The New York Times

In 1884 cash desks were placed at convenient points to take customers' payments; up to that point most large retailers had used mechanical devices or runners to move customers' money and change between counters and a central cash station.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Investigators found that paying backhanders was so ingrained that the company even had dedicated "cash desks" where employees could fill suitcases with banknotes that would be used to secure contracts.Before 1999, when it was legal for German companies to bribe foreign officials, Siemens claimed tax deductions for what it termed "useful expenditure".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about retail or service experiences, use "cash desk" to clearly indicate the place where customers finalize their purchases or transactions.

Common error

Avoid using the term "front desk" when you specifically mean the place where payments are made. "Front desk" is often associated with hotels or reception areas, while "cash desk" refers specifically to payment processing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cash desk" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific location within a commercial establishment. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

2.5%

Wiki

2.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cash desk" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the area in a store or establishment where payments are processed. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and commonly used. While suitable for various contexts, including news, travel, and business, it's important not to confuse it with more general terms like "front desk". Consider alternatives like "checkout counter" or "point of sale" based on the specific context and desired level of formality. In summary, "cash desk" is a reliable and widely understood term for the payment processing area.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

checkout counter

Refers to the area where customers pay for their purchases, often in a supermarket or retail store.

point of sale

More general term referring to the place where a transaction occurs; can be physical or digital.

payment station

Emphasizes the action of paying, applicable in automated or self-service contexts.

till

British English term for the cash register or the area around it.

cash register

Focuses on the machine used to record transactions and store money.

billing area

Common in contexts where bills are presented and paid, such as restaurants or service providers.

sales counter

Highlights the sales aspect, emphasizing the exchange of goods for money.

service counter

Broader term applicable in situations where services are rendered and payments are collected.

teller window

Specific to banking or financial institutions where a teller processes transactions.

collection point

General term for a location where payments are gathered, applicable in various scenarios.

FAQs

What is another term for "cash desk"?

Synonyms for "cash desk" include "checkout counter", "point of sale", or simply "till" (in British English).

In what contexts is "cash desk" commonly used?

"Cash desk" is typically used in retail, hospitality, and service environments where customers make payments for goods or services.

Is "cash desk" formal or informal?

"Cash desk" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like "point of sale" might be preferred in more formal settings.

How do I use "cash desk" in a sentence?

Example: "Please proceed to the "cash desk" to pay for your items." Another example: "The "cash desk" is located near the exit of the store."