sell someone short
sell (someone, something, or oneself) short
To undervalue someone, something, or oneself; to underestimate or underappreciate the good qualities of someone, something, or oneself. Don't sell yourself short—your writing is really excellent! I know you don't like their pitcher, but don't sell him short—he's one of the best in the league. I think they're selling this short. It's actually an incredibly good deal!
See also: sell, short
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
sell someone short
If someone sells you short, they do not provide you with everything that they should. Students can't cope with too much complexity. But, on the other hand, if the tutor makes things too simple, that's selling them short too. If a film is worth showing, it is worth showing as the full work it was intended to be. Anything less is selling us short. Note: The reference here is to someone being cheated by being given less of something than they have paid for.
See also: sell, short, someone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- sell (someone, something, or oneself) short
- sell short
- sell somebody short
- sell someone or something short
- sell yourself short
- sell yourself/somebody/something short
- leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open for (something)
- leave oneself wide open for
- leave yourself wide open to something
- leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open to (something)