sell-out

The concert was a complete sell-out.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • An event for which all tickets are sold: "sell-out" refers to a performance, concert, or sporting event where every available ticket has been purchased.
   • A betrayal of one's principles: "sell-out" also means an act of abandoning one's values or loyalties, especially for personal gain or popularity.
   • A commercial success: In informal usage, "sell-out" can describe a product or item that is sold out completely due to high demand.

2. Adjective (informal):

   • Describing a person who has compromised their integrity: A "sell-out" person is one who has abandoned their original ideals or group for money or fame.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The concert was a complete sell-out, with every seat filled. (All tickets were sold before the event.)
  • Many fans considered his move to a major label a sell-out of his indie roots. (They saw it as a betrayal of his original artistic principles.)
  • The new phone model was a sell-out within hours of its release. (It sold out quickly due to high demand.)

• Adjective:

  • He is often called a sell-out artist because he changed his style to appeal to mainstream audiences. (He is criticized for compromising his artistic integrity.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a sell-out crowd": a large audience that fills a venue completely.

  • The stadium had a sell-out crowd for the championship game. (Every seat was occupied.)

• "to accuse someone of being a sell-out": to claim that a person has betrayed their group or principles.

  • The activist was accused of being a sell-out after accepting a corporate sponsorship. (She was criticized for abandoning her cause.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sell out (verb phrase): to sell all available stock; to betray one's principles.

  • The store sold out of the popular toy within minutes. (All stock was sold.)
  • He sold out his friends for a promotion. (He betrayed them for personal gain.)

• Sellout (noun, alternative spelling): same as "sell-out."

  • The film was a box office sellout. (It was a financial success with full attendance.)

Synonyms

• Betrayal: an act of disloyalty.
• Compromise: the abandonment of principles.
• Success: in commercial contexts, a product that sells very well.

Phrasal Verbs

• Sell out (to someone): to betray a group or cause by cooperating with an opposing party.

  • He sold out to the corporation by agreeing to their terms. (He betrayed his original group for a deal.)

• Sell out (of something): to have no more stock left.

  • We sold out of tickets by noon. (We had no tickets left to sell.)

Related Idioms

• Sell one's soul: to sacrifice one's integrity for material gain.

  • He sold his soul to become famous. (He abandoned his morals for fame.)

• Sell down the river: to betray someone for personal advantage.

  • She felt her partner had sold her down the river by revealing their secrets. (He betrayed her trust.)