sell the family silver (English, verb)
expansion: sell the family silver (third-person singular simple present sells the family silver, present participle selling the family silver, simple past and past participle sold the family silver)
expansion: (idiomatic)
Senses:
glosses: To sell one's property (not necessarily heirlooms) in an attempt to avoid or escape financial difficulties.
tags: dated
idiomatic
topics: business
finance
government
politics
glosses: To sell a valuable or critical asset, especially for immediate or short-term gain.
tags: idiomatic
Forms:
form: sells the family silver
tags: present
singular
third-person
form: selling the family silver
tags: participle
present
form: sold the family silver
tags: participle
past
form: sold the family silver
tags: past