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auction block

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noun

Also called block. a platform from which an auctioneer sells: the old courthouse where slaves were sold from the auction block.

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Nearby words

Idioms

put on the auction block, to offer for sale at auction; offer to sell to the highest bidder.Also put on the block.

Origin of auction block

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for auction block

She listened for the gathering buzzing of voices in the next room, around the auction-block.
Balcony Stories|Grace E. King
It was the auction-block horror that first prompted him to seek freedom.
The Underground Railroad|William Still
The temple of American liberty was finished—the auction-block was the corner-stone.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 12 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
I stood by him on the auction-block; and when I stepped down, they thought they had him sure.
The Underground Railroad|William Still

At last I was dressed in clean, showy clothes and led to the auction-block, where I was auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Ten American Girls From History|Kate Dickinson Sweetser