What Does “Sell sb out” Mean?
“Sell sb out” means to betray or deceive someone, especially by revealing their secrets or acting against their interests for personal gain.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “sell sb out” is commonly used in English to describe a situation where someone betrays another person. The phrase often implies breaking trust, usually for personal advantage or profit. Understanding the “sell sb out meaning” is important because it helps learners recognize when someone is acting disloyally. This phrase is frequently used in everyday conversations, movies, and books to describe acts of betrayal between friends, colleagues, or partners. Knowing how to use “sell sb out” correctly will improve your communication and help you express feelings about trust and loyalty clearly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Sell somebody out
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To betray someone by acting against them or revealing their secrets
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Sell sb out” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb) between “sell” and “out” or after “out”.
- Pattern 1: sell + somebody + out
Example: He sold me out. - Pattern 2: sell + out + somebody
Example: He sold out his friend.
Both forms are correct, but the first is more common with pronouns (me, you, him, her).
How to Use Sell sb out?
Use “sell sb out” when you want to talk about someone betraying another person. It is often used in negative situations involving broken trust. This phrase works well in conversations about friendships, business, politics, or any context where loyalty is important. You can use it in past, present, or future tenses:
- He sold me out last week.
- Don’t sell your friends out.
- They will sell us out if we’re not careful.
Examples
Imagine your close friend tells your secret to others to gain something for themselves. You can say they “sold you out.”
- He promised to keep my secret but ended up selling me out to the boss.
- She sold out her teammates by sharing their plans with the competitors.
- Don’t trust him; he might sell you out if it benefits him.
- They were furious when they found out he sold them out during the negotiation.
- Sell sb out in a sentence: “I can’t believe you sold me out like that.”
Common Mistakes
People sometimes misuse “sell sb out” by confusing it with selling something physically or misunderstanding its meaning.
- Incorrect: I sold out my old phone yesterday.
Correct: I sold my old phone yesterday. - Incorrect: She sold out the product at the store.
Correct: She sold the product at the store. - Incorrect: He sold me out the tickets.
Correct: He sold me out to the police.
Remember, “sell sb out” is about betrayal, not physical selling.
Differences / Synonyms
“Sell sb out” is similar to “betray,” but it often implies a deliberate action for personal gain. Other related phrasal verbs include:
- Give sb away: To reveal someone’s secret unintentionally or intentionally.
- Turn on sb: To suddenly attack or betray someone.
- Let sb down: To disappoint or fail someone, but not always betraying.
“Sell sb out” usually carries a stronger meaning of treachery than these alternatives.
Common Collocations
People often use “sell sb out” with these objects:
- Friend: Betraying a close companion.
- Partner: Betrayal in a romantic or business relationship.
- Teammates: Revealing secrets within a group.
- Colleagues: Acting against coworkers for personal gain.
- Secrets: Revealing confidential information.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of sell sb out:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “sell sb out”:
Anna: I heard Tom told the manager about our plan.
Ben: Really? He sold us out?
Anna: Yes, I can’t believe he would do that.
Ben: We need to be careful who we trust.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “sell sb out”:
- He _______ his friends to get a promotion.
- Don’t _______ your teammates if you want to keep their trust.
- They were angry because she _______ them during the meeting.
FAQ
- Q: Can “sell sb out” be used in formal writing?
A: It is mostly informal but can be used in formal writing when describing betrayal.
- Q: Is “sell sb out” always negative?
A: Yes, it always implies betrayal or disloyalty.
- Q: Can I say “sell myself out”?
A: Yes, it means you betrayed your own principles or people close to you.
- Q: What is the difference between “sell sb out” and “give sb away”?
“Sell sb out” implies deliberate betrayal, while “give sb away” can be accidental or less serious.
- Q: Is “sell sb out” separable?
Yes, you can place the object between “sell” and “out” or after “out.”
