sell-off

American  

[sel-awf, -of] / ˈsɛlˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

Sometimes selling-off

noun

1. Stock Exchange. a sudden and marked decline in stock or bond prices resulting from widespread selling.

2. an act or instance of liquidating assets or subsidiaries, as by divestiture.

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sell off British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to sell (remaining or unprofitable items), esp at low prices

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sell off Idioms  

1. Get rid of by selling, often at reduced prices. For example, The jeweler was eager to sell off the last of the diamond rings. [c. 1700] Also see sell out, def. 1.

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Etymology

Origin of sell-off

First recorded in 1935–40; noun use of verb phrase sell off

Example Sentences

What explains the sell-off in gold then, at a time when its safe-haven allure and inflation-fighting credentials should have been attracting buyers in theory?

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

“Gold has emerged as one of the more exposed assets, with the sell-off driven by long liquidation, stop-loss selling, and investors raising liquidity,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

The German food-delivery group last year launched a review of its business in response to shareholder pressure, pointing to a possible sell-off of assets in geographies outside Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

The sell-off - part of a global correction in traditional software and IT stocks - preceded the market nervousness caused by recent geopolitical uncertainty, and is particularly significant for India.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Mr. Van Dyke and Dad went to the union hall and sat around the table to inform the union leaders about the sell-off.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

• convert
• pay off
• quit
• reimburse
• repay