going, going, gone

Idioms  

1. No longer available, as in If you want this last doughnut speak up—going, going, gone! This expression, used by auctioneers to indicate the acceptance of a final bid for an item, is occasionally used more loosely, as in the example. It is beloved by baseball announcers when describing a home run as it approaches and clears the outfield wall. [c. 1800]

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Example Sentences

Those dog days of April — when the Philly weather is cold and the wieners are a steal — are going, going, gone.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 29, 2024

The A’s might be going, going, gone from Oakland, but MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says the league will continue its initiatives to support youth participation and player training there and elsewhere.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2023

Much like a Rhys Hoskins’ at-bat worthy of a bat spike, the tickets were going, going, gone in record time.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 27, 2022

The “real” Big East — as Williams calls it — was going, going, gone.

From Washington Post • Jan. 8, 2016

"So it looks like we're done," he says, following the observation with an auctioneer's "going, going, gone" to flush out any last-minute questioners.

From Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman's Crusade for Free Software by Williams, Sam