call in one’s chips—use one’s influence or social connections (to gain an advantage, etc.):
- That point needs making, before Mr. Clinton’s friends in the labor unions try to call in their chips.
cash in one’s chips—
1. sell smth. in order to raise money:
- Many mutual fund investors picked up the phone yesterday, but decided not to cash in their chips after all.
2. (U.S. sl.) die:
- Got a phone call from Herb the other day informing me that Yochum had finally cashed in his chips at the ripe old age of 94.