Definition

Verb: - To sell something to the highest bidder at a public sale where items are offered and people bid increasing amounts of money until no higher bid is made. This phrase often implies a final or complete disposal of the items.

Usage

The phrase "auction off" is a transitive phrasal verb. It requires a direct object (the items being sold). It is commonly used in both active and passive voice. The word "off" can emphasize the act of disposing of or getting rid of the items.

Examples

• The bank had to auction off the foreclosed house.
• They decided to auction off their entire collection of vintage cars.
• The remaining inventory was auctioned off at the end of the season.
• The charity will auction off paintings donated by local artists.

Advanced Usage

• "to auction something off to the highest bidder": This is a common collocation that explicitly states the method of sale.
  • The rare manuscript was auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Variants and Related Words

• Auction (verb): To sell at an auction. ("They will auction the property.") "Auction off" is often synonymous but can carry a stronger connotation of disposal.
• Auction (noun): The event or process itself. ("The item will be sold at an auction.")
• Auctioneer (noun): The person who conducts the auction.

Synonyms

• Sell at auction: The most direct synonym.
• Put up for auction: To offer for sale at an auction.
• Dispose of at auction: Emphasizes getting rid of the items.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Sell off: To sell assets, often quickly or in large quantities. While similar, "sell off" is broader and does not specify the auction method.
  • The company is selling off its non-core assets.

Related Idioms

• Go under the hammer: An idiom meaning to be sold at an auction.
  • The family estate went under the hammer last week.

Verb

1. sell at an auction