Phrase guide

sell one's soul

verb · 1 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 abandon one's spiritual values or moral principles for wealth or other benefits.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sell one's soul to the devil

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the medieval legend of Faust, who made a contract with the devil, exchanging his soul for worldly gains.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: myydä sielunsa — to abandon one's values or principles for other benefits
  • French: vendre son âme au diable — to abandon one's values or principles for other benefits
  • Polish: sprzedać własną matkę — to abandon one's values or principles for other benefits
  • Russian: прода́ть ду́шу (prodátʹ dúšu) — to abandon one's values or principles for other benefits
  • Scottish Gaelic: reic anam ris an Donas — to abandon one's values or principles for other benefits