sell-off

[ sel-awf, -of ]

noun

1. Stock Exchange. a sudden and marked decline in stock or bond prices resulting from widespread selling.
2. an act or instance of liquidating assets or subsidiaries, as by divestiture.

sell off

verb

1. tr, adverb to sell (remaining or unprofitable items), esp at low prices

Word History and Origins

Origin of sell-off¹

First recorded in 1935–40; noun use of verb phrase sell off

Idioms and Phrases

Get rid of by selling, often at reduced prices. For example, The jeweler was eager to sell off the last of the diamond rings . [c. 1700] Also see sell out , def. 1.

Example Sentences

The news prompted a sell-off across the industry.

From BBC

This sell-off comes after Harris managed to raise more than $1 billion for her four-month campaign.

From Slate

Regulators have appeared unswayed that the proposed sell-off, valued at $2.9 billion, would meaningfully change the level of competition in grocery industry.

From Los Angeles Times

Economists point to several factors behind the sell-off.

From Los Angeles Times

To quell the sell-off, some investors have urged the Fed to cut interest rates now, in a kind of emergency move ahead of the central bank’s next scheduled meeting in mid-September.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sell-off