auction off

USAGE SUMMARY

'auction off' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone or something (usually items) is sold through a process of bidding. Here is an example sentence: "At the end of the fundraiser, the committee decided to auction off some of the donated items to raise more money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In February, he plans to auction off his equipment.

The New York Times - Food

Months later, he would auction off his bloody sock.

The New York Times

Yet he didn't want to auction off his mansion.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, it plans to auction off its entire trove.

The New York Times - Science

shoulder tattoo into something Christie's could proudly auction off, if it were legal to auction off a human arm.

The New York Times - Arts

Then the city decided to auction off the land.

The New York Times

MonkeyParking's app lets users auction off their public parking spaces.

The Guardian - Tech

In 2008 Mr Norris chose to auction off the chain at Christie's.

The Economist

Mr Obama wants to auction off, rather than give away, permits to emit carbon dioxide.

The Economist

But the New York Fed rebuffed the offer and instead sought to auction off the investments.

The New York Times

But on Sunday, the attempt to auction off two new franchises was mysteriously put on hold.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "auction off", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being sold and the purpose of the auction (e.g., fundraising, liquidation).

Common error

Avoid using "auction off" interchangeably with general selling terms like "sell" or "dispose of" if the specific method of sale (an auction) is important to the context. Always use "auction off" when the bidding process is relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "auction off" functions as a dynamic verb phrase, indicating the action of selling something through a bidding process. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Tech

5%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "auction off" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that describes the act of selling something through a bidding process. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's frequently found in news reports and business contexts, carrying a neutral tone suitable for various communications. To be precise in your writing, using "auction off" implies a specific method of sale, which is essential to the context. For example, it's important to remember that this choice helps set the context apart from general selling terms. For alternatives, consider ""sell at auction"" or "put up for auction" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. By understanding the nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "auction off" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sell at auction

Focuses more explicitly on the method of sale being an auction.

put up for auction

Emphasizes the act of making something available for auction.

offer for sale at auction

A more formal and detailed way of describing the action.

dispose of by auction

Indicates getting rid of something through an auction process.

liquidate through auction

Implies converting assets into cash via auction, often in a business context.

conduct an auction of

Highlights the act of organizing and carrying out an auction.

hold an auction for

Similar to 'conduct an auction', but with a focus on the event itself.

trade by auction

Describes trading goods or services using the auction method.

market via auction

Focuses on using an auction as a marketing strategy.

vend through auction

A more archaic or formal way to say 'sell through auction'.

FAQs

How can I use "auction off" in a sentence?

You can use "auction off" to describe the act of selling something through a bidding process, such as "The charity decided to "auction off" donated items to raise money".

What is a simple alternative to "auction off"?

A simpler alternative to "auction off" is "sell at auction", which directly conveys the method of sale.

Is it correct to say "auction" instead of "auction off"?

While "auction" can function as a verb, ""auction off"" specifies the action of selling something at an auction. Using just "auction" might require additional context to clarify the meaning.

What's the difference between "auction off" and "sell"?

"Sell" is a general term for exchanging goods for money. "Auction off" specifically means selling something through a public bidding process.