sell up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “sell up” mean?
To sell all or most of one's possessions, business, or property, often to relocate, retire, or fundamentally change one's life situation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To sell all or most of one's possessions, business, or property, often to relocate, retire, or fundamentally change one's life situation.
To liquidate a business or personal assets completely; to dispose of one's entire holdings in a particular area (e.g., property, stocks).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English. American English speakers understand it but may more frequently use 'sell (everything/one's business)' or 'liquidate' in formal contexts.
Connotations
In British English, it's a standard, slightly informal term for selling a home/business. In American English, it may sound slightly more idiomatic or British-influenced.
Frequency
High frequency in UK property/business news; medium frequency in US, where it is understood but not the dominant phrasing.
Grammar
How to Use “sell up” in a Sentence
[Subject] sell up[Subject] sell up and [verb of movement/change][Subject] sell up [Direct Object: business/property/home]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sell up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Many high street retailers are having to sell up.
- They sold up in London and bought a cottage in Cornwall.
- The landlord gave them notice, so they've decided to sell up.
American English
- After the market crash, he sold up and invested in bonds.
- They're selling up the family farm after decades.
- If the offer is good enough, we might just sell up.
adjective
British English
- The sell-up process can take months.
- They announced a complete sell-up of assets.
American English
- The sell-up phase of the company's closure is next.
- A rapid sell-up of the portfolio was advised.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
After years of losses, the partners agreed to sell up.
Academic
The study examined farmers' decisions to sell up during economic downturns.
Everyday
Now that the kids have left home, we're thinking of selling up and getting a smaller flat.
Technical
The trustee was instructed to sell up the bankrupt's estate.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sell up”
- Using it for small sales ('I sold up my old bike'). *Incorrect*.
- Separating the verb and particle ('sell the business up'). *Unidiomatic*.
- Confusing it with 'sell out' meaning to betray principles.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is commonly used for selling a home or all of one's major possessions, not just a business.
'Sell up' means to sell all your assets (neutral/final). 'Sell out' often means to betray principles for money, or to sell all tickets/stock of an item.
No, it is not idiomatic for a single item. It implies a large-scale sale (e.g., a business, a house, all your stock).
It is generally inseparable. 'Sell up the business' is heard, but the more common patterns are 'sell up' or 'sell up and [do something]'.
To sell all or most of one's possessions, business, or property, often to relocate, retire, or fundamentally change one's life situation.
Sell up is usually informal to neutral in register.
Sell up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsel ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛl ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sell up and ship out”
- “Lock, stock and barrel (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine SELLing UP all your possessions and moving UP to a new life. The 'up' suggests completeness (selling everything up) and a change in direction (moving up and away).
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A BUSINESS/POSSESSION. Changing one's life is conceptualized as liquidating a commercial asset.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the meaning of 'sell up'?