sell short

1. Contract for the sale of securities or commodities one expects to own at a later date and at a lower price, as in Selling short runs the risk of a market rise, forcing one to pay more than one expected . [Mid-1800s]

2. sell someone short . Underestimate the true value or worth of someone, as in Don't sell her short; she's a very able lawyer . [First half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

The government sells short and long-term gilts to allow it to borrow money over different time periods, with varying interest rates.

From BBC

The first way that shorts benefit from stock watering is that millions of new shares become available to sell short.

From Salon

Stine Seed, based in Iowa, already sells short corn in the United States.

From Science Magazine

It would not be advisable to sell short either Leonard Leo or this Teneo Network, whatever the hell it is.

From Salon

He said he has enjoyed giving talks to children as young as kindergarten age and is adamant that scientists should not sell short young people’s intelligence.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• belittle 
• miscalculate 
• underrate 
• undervalue