In finance, for a broker to sell a client's investments without their knowledge or authorisation; or historically, to sell people away from their families (slavery context).
When a financial adviser secretly sells your investments without asking you; or in historical contexts, to sell a person away from their home or family.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
In finance: for a broker to sell or recommend investments to clients outside those approved by their firm, without proper disclosure — an illegal practice.
"The broker was barred from the industry for selling away products that were not on his firm's approved list."
Historically: to sell an enslaved person to a different owner, separating them from their family or community.
"Families were often sold away to distant plantations, never to see each other again."
Mothers were sold away from their children without a second thought.
To sell something so that it goes away — often with a sense of removal or loss.
When a financial adviser secretly sells your investments without asking you; or in historical contexts, to sell a person away from their home or family.
In finance, 'selling away' is an illegal practice where a broker sells securities not approved by their firm. In historical contexts, the phrase describes the forced sale of enslaved people away from their families. Both senses are serious and carry strongly negative connotations.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "sell away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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