1 C1 formal
To purchase something at auction by placing the highest bid.
"The antique writing desk was bid off for twice its estimated value."
separable
bid off
C1 formal separable transitive
To acquire something at an auction by having the highest bid.
In plain English
To win something at an auction by bidding the most money.
What does "bid off" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
A technical auction term, more common in older or formal English. Often used in the passive: 'it was bid off at £500'. Less commonly used than 'buy at auction' in modern English.
Words that pair with "bid off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
auction lot item property estate sale
How to conjugate "bid off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bid off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bids off
he/she/it
Past simple
bided off
yesterday
Past participle
bided off
have + pp
-ing form
biding off
continuous
Hear "bid off" in the wild
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