sell the family silver

动词 v.

英文释义

动词 v.
  1. To sell one's property (not necessarily heirlooms) in an attempt to avoid or escape financial difficulties. dated,idiomatic
    — For two years he fretted in France, selling the family silver to support himself
  2. To sell a valuable or critical asset, especially for immediate or short-term gain. idiomatic
    — And if it is close, when is it sensible to sell the family silver?

词形变化

sells the family silver present,singular,third-person selling the family silver participle,present sold the family silver participle,past sold the family silver past

词汇关系

相关词
sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage

词源

Referring to the selling of heirlooms. Use in reference to national policy popularized in a paraphrasing of a speech in 1985 by former British prime minister Harold Macmillan: “The sale of assets is common with individuals and states when they run into financial difficulties. First, all the Georgian silver goes, and then all that nice furniture that used to be in the saloon. Then the Canalettos go,” in reference the privatization policy of Margaret Thatcher.
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