Phrasal verb
sell down
Definition
phrasal verb. To sell part of something you own, like company shares or store products, to reduce the total amount you have.
phrasal verb. To reduce a holding, position, or inventory level by selling a portion of the total assets. This phrasal verb is primarily used in financial and retail contexts.
Examples
“The store needs to sell down its summer stock before autumn arrives.”
“The venture capital firm decided to sell down its stake in the startup after the initial public offering.”
“As market conditions deteriorated, the hedge fund began to sell down its more volatile positions to increase its cash reserves and mitigate potential losses.”
Examples
simple
“The store needs to sell down its summer stock before autumn arrives.”
contextual
“The venture capital firm decided to sell down its stake in the startup after the initial public offering.”
complex
“As market conditions deteriorated, the hedge fund began to sell down its more volatile positions to increase its cash reserves and mitigate potential losses.”
Usage
Commonly used with objects like 'stake', 'holding', 'position', or 'stock'.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'sell out' (selling everything) to highlight that 'sell down' implies a partial reduction rather than a total exit.
Pitfall
They sold down their entire collection of vintage cars.
They sold off their entire collection of vintage cars.
'Sell down' implies that a portion of the collection is kept, whereas 'sold off' or 'liquidated' indicates a total sale.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
optional
Pattern
sell + down + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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