Sell Out Phrasal Verb

Video Overview

This video deals with the phrasal verb 'sell out.' Watch the video and then read our analysis afterwards.

Video Analysis

To 'sell out' of something can mean to sell all of a product so it is no longer available (for sale). If you accuse somebody of 'selling out', it is a way of accusing somebody of reducing their moral or ethical standards, usually to make a profit or for personal or financial gain. If you 'sell out', it can also mean to sell part or all of a business to an individual or another company. This is an informal expression, usually used more in informal contexts.

Additional examples with 'sell out' are: 

A promotional e-mail urges recipients to book their tickets to a conference soon: "We recommend you take advantage of the pre-sale to book your tickets in advance. We anticipate the conference will sell out quickly, as it has in previous years." Someone in work warns you about a colleague: "I can't trust Nathan. He sells out his colleagues at the first opportunity to gain advantage and climb the career ladder." A small company talks about its refusal to accept a generous offer: "Although we have received a generous offer, we refused to sell out any part of our company to those who do not share our vision."

Related Links