Phrase guide

sell down

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To become less by being sold.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, intransitive

Topics: business

Examples

  • Don't order any potato cakes for 3 days while what we have sells down.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To reduce by selling.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, transitive

Topics: business

Examples

  • Don't order any potato cakes for 3 days while we sell down our stocks., or
  • Don't order any potato cakes for 3 days while we sell our stocks down.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To betray a person; to conspire against someone for personal gain.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sell, sell the pass, sell out, assfuck, betray, burn, cop out, cross out, cross up, double-cross, do someone dirty, do the dirty on, false, go back on, knife, let down, play someone false, quisle, renegade, sell down the river, sell down, stab in the back, swike, traitorize, turncoat

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From sell + down.

Shortening of sell down the river