sell out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Have no more stock
Why “out”? Something is used until nothing is left. Energy, supply, fire, and time all reach zero.
“The cafe sold out of fruit cake before Maya reached the counter.”
“The shoe shop sold out of Maya's size before the afternoon shopping trip.”
“The club sold out of entry tickets while Maya and Leo were getting ready.”
“The bakery sold out of bread.”
Don't confuse with
Sell out means have no more stock. Sell off means sell something quickly, often at a low price.
Test yourself
“The cafe sold out of fruit cake before Maya reached the counter.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
sell off
A contrast learners often mix up
Sell something quickly, often at a low price
blow out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Extinguish a flame by blowing
burn out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Become exhausted from overwork; (of a fire) Stop burning because there is no fuel left; (of an electrical device) Stop working because of overheating; Destroy a building or vehicle by fire
chill out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Relax and stop being anxious
close out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
End or settle a process or account
conk out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Stop working suddenly, especially of an engine or machine
die out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Gradually disappear
dry out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Become or make completely dry
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