1
general::
Phrase(s): sell someone out [and] sell someone down the river
to betray someone; to reveal damaging information about someone. • Bill told everything he knew about Bob, and that sold Bob down the river. • You’ll be sorry if you sell me out. • Lefty sold out his friends, and we’ll all soon be arrested., Phrase(s): sell something out
to sell all of something. • Have they sold their supply out yet? • The stores sold out their stocks of that game long before Christmas., Phrase(s): sell out
[for an item] to be sold until there is no more. • All the plastic hangers have sold out., Phrase(s): sell out (to someone)
1. to sell everything, such as all one’s property or one’s company, to someone. • The farmer finally gave up and sold out to a large corporation. • I refuse to sell out no matter what they offer me. 2. to betray someone or something to someone. • I think that you have sold out to the enemy!
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Dispose of entirely by selling. For example, The rancher finally sold out to the oil company, or The tickets to the concert were sold out a month ago. [Late 1700s] 2. Betray one's cause or colleagues, as in He sold out to the other side. [Slang; late 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms