ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sellout

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈsɛˌɫaʊt// UK //sˈɛlaʊt// sell·out Informal

n. a person who betrays someone or something they were supposed to protect. It can also mean a person who is very popular and sells out of everything they offer.

n. a person who betrays a cause, organization, or individual for personal gain. In a commercial context, it refers to a performer or product that is so popular that all available tickets or stock are sold out.


SIMPLE

He was a total sellout who only cared about money.

CONTEXTUAL

The band's new album was a sellout, with every copy disappearing from the shelves within hours of release.

COMPLEX

The politician was labeled a sellout by his former allies after he signed a controversial trade deal that benefited his private interests over the public good.

Origin

A deverbal from sell out.

Idioms1 entry

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