1an act of selling or attempting to sell something:every other television commercial is a sell for Australian lager
2British a disappointment, typically one arising from being deceived as to the merits of something:actually, Hawaii’s a bit of a sell—not a patch on Corfu
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Universal
1give or hand over (something) in exchange for money:they had sold the carthe family business had been sold off [with two objects]:I was trying to sell him my butterfly collection
have a stock of (something) available for sale:the store sells hi-fis, TVs, videos, and other electrical goods
[no object] be purchased in specified amounts or for a specified price:the album sold 6 million copies in the United Statesthis magazine of yours won’t sellthese antiques of the future sell for about £375
[no object] (sell out) sell all of one’s stock of something:they had nearly sold out of the initial run of 75,000 copies
[no object] (sell out) be all sold:it was clear that the performances would not sell out
[no object] (sell through) (of a product) be purchased by a customer from a retail outlet.
[no object] (sell up) British sell all of one’s property, possessions, or assets:Ernest sold up and retired
(sell oneself) have sex in exchange for money:if she was going to sell herself then it would be as well not to come too cheap
[no object] (sell out) abandon one’s principles for reasons of expedience:the prime minister has come under fire for selling out to the United States
(sell someone out) betray someone for one’s own benefit:the clansmen became tenants and the chiefs sold them out
archaic offer (something) dishonourably for money or other reward:do not your lawyers sell all their practice, as your priests their prayers?
2persuade someone of the merits of:he sold the idea of making a film about Tchaikovskyhe just won’t sell himself
(sell someone on) cause someone to become enthusiastic about:I’m just not sold on the idea
3 archaic trick or deceive (someone):what we want is to go out of here quiet, and talk this show up, and sell the rest of the town
do or be willing to do anything, no matter how wrong it is, in order to achieve one’s objective:it is very easy to get to the top of any employment structure if you are prepared to sell your soul
