1) To sell
something (usually a stock) that one does not own, with the anticipation that the item's value will decline and they will be able to buy it back at a later date for a lesser price.
2) To deny someone
credit that they deserve. This is generally
something a person does to him/herself.
1)
I sold your
sister short last year for $100, then bought her back this year for a can of Skoal and a
junior bacon cheeseburger. Damn that rag has really started to circle the drain.
2)
You: "So you're not going to let me beat it up, are you?"
Girl: "Nope, sorry. Denied! But don't sell yourself short...3 inches isn't really that small. At least you've got my chihuahua beat...I think."
(sell short)