Phrase · Food & drink

the 'cash only' panic

noun phrase /thuh-kash-ohn-lee-pan-ik/

Definition

The horrifying realization at the front of a queue that the establishment is engaged in tax evasion and you only have Apple Pay.

In use

“I ordered the kebab and was instantly hit by the 'cash only' panic.”

Filed under

anxiety british life computers driving queues takeaways
Published 3 August 2026

Keep exploring

More from Food & drink

Browse this topic
noun phrase the midnight nutrition

The comforting fiction that food eaten after midnight still belongs to the previous day's meal plan.

 noun phrase the morning banquet

A breakfast consisting entirely of refrigerated takeaway that somehow tastes even better than it did the night before.

 noun phrase the condiment catastrophe

A minor takeaway error elevated to the status of national emergency.

 noun phrase the usual syndrome

A state in which ordering has become so predictable that the menu serves no practical purpose.

The details

About this phrase

The language, classification and history attached to this Definr entry.

Language

Language form
noun phrase
Pronunciation
/thuh-kash-ohn-lee-pan-ik/

Classification

Life domain
Everyday life

History

Published
Last updated

Your turn

Some things need more than one word.

Turn private jokes, local slang and oddly specific experiences into polished dictionary cards made for sharing.

Coin a phrase

Your image is ready

Save or share this card

Your finished PNG is shown below. Download it, share it, or open the full-size image.

Exported Definr dictionary card
On iPhone and Android, Download PNG opens your device share/save sheet. You can also press and hold the preview above.