hard-sell

¹ American  

[hahrd-sel] / ˈhɑrdˈsɛl /

verb (used with or without object)

hard-sold, hard-selling

1. to sell or advertise (something) in a forceful and insistent way.

   to hard-sell new car models to reluctant buyers.

2. to convince (someone) in a forceful and insistent way.

   to hard-sell customers on a new product.

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adjective

1. characterized by or promoted through a hard sell.

   hard-sell tactics.

hard sell ² American  

noun

1. a method of advertising or selling that is direct, forceful, and insistent; high-pressure salesmanship (soft sell ).

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hard sell British  

noun

1. an aggressive insistent technique of selling or advertising Compare soft sell

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hard sell Idioms  

1. An aggressive, high-pressure sales practice or promotion, as in Used-car salesmen tend to give you a hard sell . This expression gave rise to the antonym soft sell , a low-key sales approach that relies on gentle persuasion. [ Colloquial ; c. 1950]

2. A difficult sales prospect, one who resists sales pressure. For example, Those brokers who call us at dinnertime find me a hard sell—I usually just hang up on them . [Late 1900s]

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Etymology

Origin of hard-sell¹

An Americanism dating back to 1955–60

Origin of hard sell¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

It was a hard sell for then-President Lyndon Johnson, who had to convince Americans that their money was still worth something even if it was essentially worthless as metal.

From The Wall Street Journal

But she cautioned that parts of the budget might be a hard sell for Canadians struggling immediately with the cost of living.

From BBC

But the latest news is a hard sell for him.

From The Wall Street Journal

I convinced my wife to go to synagogue, which is a hard sell.

From The Wall Street Journal

The promise to announce any changes may also be a hard sell, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal