# sell one's soul

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/sell-ones-soul
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To abandon one's spiritual values or moral principles for wealth or other benefits.

## Origin

From the mediaeval legend of Faust, a scholar who entered into a formal contract with the devil. The arrangement required Faust to exchange his soul for a period of worldly gains and knowledge, providing the template for the idiom.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.