sell out from under

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To sell (something, most often a home) despite current habitation or reliance from others and without telling the current users of the property until it is too late for them to react.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

I've gotta move in a hurry because my landlord sold the house out from under me.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “sell out from under” mean?

To sell (something, most often a home) despite current habitation or reliance from others and without telling the current users of the property until it is too late for them to react.

Is “sell out from under” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.