sell (someone, something, or oneself) short

sell (someone, something, or oneself) short

To undervalue someone, something, or oneself; to underestimate or underappreciate the good qualities of someone, something, or oneself. Often used in negative constructions. Don't sell yourself short—your writing is really excellent! I know you don't like their pitcher, but you shouldn't sell him short. He's actually got some of the best stats in the league. I think they're selling this short. It's actually an incredibly good deal!

See also: sell, short

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

sell someone or something short

Fig. to underestimate someone or something; to fail to see the good qualities of someone or something. This is a very good restaurant. Don't sell it short. When you say that John isn't interested in music, you're selling him short. Did you know he plays the violin quite well?

See also: sell, short

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

sell short

1. Contract for the sale of securities or commodities one expects to own at a later date and at a lower price, as in Selling short runs the risk of a market rise, forcing one to pay more than one expected. [Mid-1800s]

2. sell someone short. Underestimate the true value or worth of someone, as in Don't sell her short; she's a very able lawyer. [First half of 1900s]

See also: sell, short

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

sell someone short

If someone sells you short, they do not provide you with everything that they should. Students can't cope with too much complexity. But, on the other hand, if the tutor makes things too simple, that's selling them short too. If a film is worth showing, it is worth showing as the full work it was intended to be. Anything less is selling us short. Note: The reference here is to someone being cheated by being given less of something than they have paid for.

See also: sell, short, someone

sell yourself short

1. If you sell yourself short, you describe yourself as less clever or talented than you really are. We should not sell ourselves short. Our work here is important and we should put a proper value on it.

2. If you sell yourself short, you do things that do not show how clever or talented you are. He's clearly a bright man and yet he sticks with quiz shows. Does he never feel that he is selling himself short? Note: The reference here is to someone being cheated by being given less of something than they have paid for.

See also: sell, short

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

sell someone or something short

fail to recognize or state the true value of someone or something.

1998 Times Mr Ashdown may secure his seat in the Cabinet, but he will have bought it by selling liberal principles short.

See also: sell, short, someone, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

sell somebody ˈshort

cheat somebody by giving them less than they have paid for: He sold us short! We paid for five kilos of mushrooms and only got four!

See also: sell, short, somebody

sell yourself/somebody/something ˈshort

describe yourself/somebody/something as being less good, valuable, etc. than you, etc. really are: Don’t sell yourself short when you go for an interview. ♢ It was a great idea, but you sold it short.

See also: sell, short, somebody, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

sell short

1. To contract for the sale of securities or commodities one expects to own at a later date and at more advantageous terms.

2. To underestimate the true value or worth of: Don't sell your colleague short; she's a smart lawyer.

See also: sell, short

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.