1. a situation in which many investors sell their bonds, shares etc, often very quickly:
• In an otherwise calm market, there were steep sell-offs in shares.
2. when a business, company etc is sold to another company:
• 6,000 metal union workers occupied two shipbuilding companies to protest at their planned sell-offs.
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sell-off UK US /ˈselɒf/ US /-ɑːf/ noun [C]
► FINANCE a sale of a business, particular assets, etc. at a low price to encourage someone to buy it: »
A sell-off would mark the second time that the business has changed hands in two years.
»The book value grossly understates the sell-off value of the company.
► FINANCE, STOCK MARKET an occasion when a large number of shares in a company are sold, often causing their value to fall: »
The dollar was little changed after a sell-off at the end of last week.
Financial and business terms. 2012.