sell out

S

sell out (phrasal verb)
/ˈsɛl aʊt/

Variant

• sell someone out
• sellout

Meaning

• Betraying one’s principles, values, or supporters in exchange for personal gain.
• Revealing confidential or sensitive information about someone.
• Compromising integrity or artistic authenticity for money, popularity, or advantage.
• Someone who abandons their beliefs or loyalty for personal benefit. (noun form)
• Selling the entire stock of a product.
• Disposing of all one’s goods, property, or business, often to liquidate assets.
• (Share Market) To liquidate holdings or assets to meet obligations.

Example Sentences

1. Many fans felt the politician sold out when he abandoned his campaign promises for corporate donations.
2. He sold them out to the competition by leaking their business plan.
3. She felt her friend sold her out by revealing her secret to her fiancé.
4. Critics accused the filmmaker of selling out by making a formulaic sequel purely for profit.
5. Some longtime listeners called the singer a sellout after she switched to mainstream pop.
6. The store sold out of the limited-edition sneakers in less than an hour.
7. He decided to sell out his small bakery and retire to the countryside.
8. The brokerage had to sell out the client’s positions after a margin call.

Origin and History

The phrase “sell out” first emerged in the late 18th to early 19th century, primarily in a commercial context. It originally denoted the act of selling off one’s entire stock or holdings, such as cattle, grain, or shares in a company. This usage implied a complete disposal of assets, often for financial gain, without any negative connotations. Historical records suggest that the term was used in this sense as early as 1796, when a discussion of land speculation included the phrase ‘crowding here to sell out,’ consistent with the late-18th-century meaning of disposing of one’s holdings by sale.”

The phrase’s early commercial meaning laid the groundwork for its later figurative applications, particularly in the United States, where economic expansion and industrialization provided fertile ground for its development.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest documented use of “sell out” in print, in its idiomatic sense, appears in Mary Chesnut’s diary in 1862, where it is used to describe a “corrupt bargain.” This record marks a significant shift from the term’s commercial origins to a pejorative connotation, implying betrayal or compromise for personal gain. Chesnut’s usage reflects the socio-political context of the American Civil War, where accusations of disloyalty were rampant. This printed instance provides a critical anchor for tracing the term’s evolution from a neutral to a morally charged expression.

Country of Origin

The idiomatic term “sell out” is widely believed to have originated in the United States. Its early commercial usage aligns with the rise of industrial capitalism during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period marked by rapid economic growth and speculative ventures in America. The term’s later pejorative sense, particularly evident in the 1862 record, is tied to American political scandals, notably those of the Gilded Age (1870s–1900s). The United States’ cultural emphasis on individualism and economic ambition likely contributed to the term’s development as an insult for those perceived to prioritize personal gain over communal or ideological loyalty.

Gilded Age and Political Corruption

By the 1870s, “sell out” had evolved into a potent insult, particularly in the realm of American politics. During the Gilded Age, a period characterized by rampant corruption and industrialization, the term was used to describe politicians who betrayed public trust for personal profit. A notable example is the Tweed Ring scandal in New York City, where William “Boss” Tweed and his associates engaged in widespread graft. Contemporary journalistic exposés, particularly by The New York Times in 1870, employed “sell out” to describe how politicians manipulated city finances for personal gain. This usage solidified the term’s association with moral compromise and betrayal, extending its reach beyond commerce into the socio-political sphere.

Cultural Expansion and Artistic Contexts

In the 20th century, the term “sell out” expanded into cultural and artistic domains, particularly in the United States. By the 1960s and 1970s, it became associated with musicians and artists who were perceived to abandon their original values for commercial success. This usage emerged prominently within the punk subculture, where signing with major record labels or licensing music for advertising was seen as a betrayal of artistic integrity. The term’s application to cultural figures reflects a broader societal tension between authenticity and commercialism, a theme that resonated strongly in American countercultural movements. This evolution highlights how “sell out” adapted to critique perceived inauthenticity across various fields.

Alternative Theories and Contested Meanings

While the United States is the primary country of origin, some scholars suggest that the concept of “selling out” may have parallels in other cultures, though not necessarily under the same phrase. For instance, similar notions of betrayal for gain appear in European political discourse, but no direct equivalent to “sell out” has been identified in early European records. Additionally, the term’s meaning remains contested, as actions labeled as “selling out” by some may be seen as pragmatic by others. This subjectivity underscores the term’s flexibility and its dependence on cultural context, particularly in American society, where debates over loyalty and success are deeply ingrained.

Betrayal, Phrasal Verbs, Stock Market

Last update: August 11, 2025 11:03 AM