underbid

[ uhn-der-bid ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·bid, un·der·bid·ding.

1. to bid less than (another bid) or less than the bid of (another bidder), especially in seeking a contract to be awarded to the lowest bid or bidder; make an offer at a lower price than.
2. Cards. to bid less than the value or worth of (a contract or hand).

verb (used without object)

, un·der·bid, un·der·bid·ding.

1. to bid lower than another or too low for the value of something.

underbid

/ ˌʌndəˈbɪd /

verb

1. to submit a bid lower than that of (others)

   Irena underbid the other dealers

2. to submit an excessively low bid for
3. bridge to make a bid that will win fewer tricks than is justified by the strength of the hand

   he underbid his hand

Derived Forms

• ˈunderˌbidder, noun

Other Words From

• under·bidder noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of underbid¹

First recorded in 1585–95; under- + bid ¹

Example Sentences

Agencies that skipped paying employment taxes could underbid the competition, said Mr. Perez, who offered to name firms that were “underpricing and skimming.”

From New York Times

At one infamous 2013 meeting, a group of private college presidents mused over a voluntary laying down of arms on merit aid so there wouldn’t be so much underbidding.

From New York Times

A stalking horse bid is an initial bid on the assets of a bankrupt company, setting the low-end bidding bar so that other bidders cannot underbid the purchase price.

From Reuters

Saint Francis had been exceeding Nebraska’s caseload requirements and ultimately conceded that it had underbid its contract with the state.

From Seattle Times

The proposal also covers bids in public tenders in order to prevent the use of foreign subsidies to grow market share or underbid European rivals to gain access to strategically important markets or critical infrastructure.

From Reuters