auction block

American  

[awk-shuhn blok] / ˈɔk ʃən ˌblɒk /

noun

1. Also called block.  a platform from which an auctioneer sells.

   The auction block in front of the old courthouse was removed and placed in a slavery exhibit at the state museum.

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idioms

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

Etymology

Origin of auction block

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

Paramount found itself on the auction block two years ago, in part, because of the weight of its struggling cable channels, including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and MTV.

From Los Angeles Times

Warner Bros., a signature Hollywood studio for more than a century, is on the auction block.

From Los Angeles Times

However, when the property ended up on the auction block, Spacey’s identity as its true owner was confirmed.

From MarketWatch

His offers, backed by his father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, pressured the board to put the company on the auction block earlier this week.

From The Wall Street Journal

Discovery has officially acknowledged the company is up for sale, marking the third time in the last decade the storied assets have been on the auction block.

From Los Angeles Times