Wednesday, 6 July 2011

What is the difference between `sell’ and `sell out’?

`Sell’ is the opposite of `buy’. When you sell, you give something that you own in return for money. For example, you have individuals selling vegetables, audiotapes, and real estate. When you `sell out’ something, you succeed in selling everything.

*All the chairs and tables have been sold out. *Do you believe this? The tickets have been sold out.

The expression `sell out’ has other meanings as well. When you `sell someone out’ you betray the individual.
*I think some of our politicians are selling our country out. *I certainly don’t wish to sell you out.

Source: The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, January 2, 2006

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