Meaning of sell the family silver | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To sell one's property (not necessarily heirlooms) in an attempt to avoid or escape financial difficulties.
   dated, idiomatic
2. To sell a valuable or critical asset, especially for immediate or short-term gain.
   idiomatic

Examples

“For two years he fretted in France, selling the family silver to support himself”

“Though he had at last been reinstated in his rank of Captain-General, the Chilean Treasury seemed in no hurry to pay his pension and Dona Rosita was forced to sell the family silver.”

“There she collapsed when she made a bid to sell the family silver and by the time she advertised for work–ignominy for a landed heiress–she was fully aprised of the difficulties faced by women seeking employment.”

“And if it is close, when is it sensible to sell the family silver?”

“There have been resignations of government officials over anomalies in the privatisation of the copper industry, while the charge that the government is selling the family silver is still voiced frequently.”

“[...] yet it had only a 50 percent stake because its partner, while recognizing that it needed and alliance in order to introduce new products, was unwilling to sell the family silver by giving up 51 percent.”

CEFR level