auction off
To sell something where people take turns saying how much they'll pay, and whoever offers the most money gets it.
Meanings
To sell something at a public auction where people compete by bidding.
"The gallery auctioned off a rare Picasso sketch for over two million dollars."
"The Beatles' original contract was auctioned off for nearly £290,000."
— BBC News, widely reported auction story
To dispose of assets, especially unwanted or surplus property, through an auction process.
"The company auctioned off its remaining equipment after going into administration."
Commonly used in news, business, and legal contexts. The particle 'off' suggests finality — the item is definitively removed from the owner's possession. Often used when clearing estates, liquidating assets, or raising money for charity.
Commonly used with
Forms
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