milk cow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Colloquial (extended meaning); Neutral (agricultural sense)
Quick answer
What does “milk cow” mean?
A cow kept primarily for producing milk rather than for meat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cow kept primarily for producing milk rather than for meat.
A dependable source of steady income, profit, or benefit; a person or entity that is exploited for continuous gain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English may more commonly use 'dairy cow' for the literal sense. American English slightly favours 'cash cow' for the metaphorical business sense. The compound form 'milk cow' is used in both but is less frequent than the alternatives.
Connotations
The metaphorical use has a slightly informal, blunt tone in both varieties, implying exploitation.
Frequency
Low-to-mid frequency for the literal sense (agriculture-specific). Moderate for the metaphorical sense in business/finance contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “milk cow” in a Sentence
[Entity] is/becomes a milk cow for [Beneficiary][Agent] milks [Entity] like a milk cowVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “milk cow” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tabloids were accused of trying to milk-cow the celebrity's scandal for all it was worth. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- He felt his success was being milk-cowed by distant relatives. (rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- The milk-cow franchise supported the entire film studio. (hyphenated, attributive)
American English
- They identified a milk-cow segment of their customer base. (hyphenated, attributive)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The patent became the company's milk cow for a decade.'
Academic
Rare. Possible in agricultural economics or sociology discussing resource exploitation.
Everyday
Literal: 'They keep a milk cow for fresh dairy.' Metaphorical: 'His rich uncle is seen as the family milk cow.'
Technical
Primarily agricultural science for the literal sense.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “milk cow”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “milk cow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “milk cow”
- Using 'milk cow' in a formal financial report instead of 'cash cow' or 'key profit driver'.
- Confusing 'milk cow' (source) with 'milch cow' (archaic variant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern business/finance contexts, 'cash cow' is significantly more common and standard. 'Milk cow' is more literal or used in more informal metaphorical contexts.
Yes, especially in its metaphorical sense, but it is often derogatory, implying that person is being exploited for money.
A 'milk cow' is exploited for profit. A 'sacred cow' is an idea, institution, etc., that is considered immune from criticism or question.
'Milch cow' is an older, chiefly British form of 'milk cow'. It is now archaic but may be found in historical texts or used for stylistic effect.
A cow kept primarily for producing milk rather than for meat.
Milk cow is usually colloquial (extended meaning); neutral (agricultural sense) in register.
Milk cow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪlk ˌkaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪlk ˌkaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to be/be treated like) a milk cow”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cow that gives MILK, which is like MONEY. A 'milk cow' is a source of something valuable you can keep taking from.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOURCE OF SUSTENANCE/PROFIT IS A DOMESTIC ANIMAL (that can be milked).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, which synonym for 'milk cow' is most appropriate for a formal report?