bidding

[ bid-ing ]

noun

1. command; summons; invitation:

   I went there at his bidding.

2. bids bid collectively, or a period during which bids bid are made or received:

   The bidding began furiously.

3. a bid. bide.

bidding

/ ˈbɪdɪŋ /

noun

1. an order; command (often in the phrases do or follow the bidding of , at someone's bidding )
2. an invitation; summons
3. the act of making bids, as at an auction or in bridge
4. bridge a group of bids considered collectively, esp those made on a particular deal

Word History and Origins

Origin of bidding¹

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; bid ¹, -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. do someone's bidding, to submit to someone's orders; perform services for someone:

   After he was promoted to vice president at the bank, he expected everyone around him to do his bidding.

Example Sentences

While City are bidding for a fifth title in a row, Liverpool are aiming for only their second in the Premier League era.

From BBC

The India wicketkeeper, 27, was the subject of a bidding war between the Super Giants and his former side, Delhi Capitals.

From BBC

It was a strongarm move meant to let the Senate know that they are merely there to do his bidding and nothing more.

From Salon

Big media companies are bracing for the possibility that he will do Trump’s bidding when the president-elect threatens retribution against media outlets that are unfriendly to him.

From Los Angeles Times

It was later revealed he had visited the US ranch of businessman Philip Anschutz - whose company took over the running of the Millennium Dome and who was bidding to build Britain's first super-casino.

From BBC

Related Words

• auction
• tender