Definition

Noun: A quick, informal collection of money from a group of people, typically for a specific, often benevolent purpose like a gift or to help someone in need.

Usage

This word is primarily used in British English. It describes a spontaneous or organized effort where people in a group, such as colleagues or friends, each contribute a small amount of money to create a collective fund.

Examples

• The office organized a whip-round to buy a wedding present for their manager.
• We had a quick whip-round at the pub to help pay for his taxi home.
• There was a whip-round for the family who lost everything in the fire.

Advanced Usage

• To have a whip-round (for someone/something): This is the standard phrase used to initiate the collection.
  • Let's have a whip-round for the leaving party.
• To do a whip-round: An alternative phrasing with the same meaning.
  • We should do a whip-round to get him a new football kit.

Variants and Related Words

• Whip-round is a compound noun. The verb form is not standard; the action is described using phrases like "have a whip-round" or "do a whip-round."
• Collection (n): A more general term for gathering money or items.
• Kick in (v, informal - US English): To contribute one's share of money.
  • Everyone kicked in a few dollars for the pizza.

Synonyms

• Collection
• Pass the hat (idiom, more common in US English)
• Taking up a collection

Related Idioms

• Pass the hat (around): An idiom with a very similar meaning to "have a whip-round," meaning to collect money from a group of people.
  • They passed the hat around to pay for the repairs.

Noun

1. (British) solicitation of money usually for a benevolent purpose