Sold out
Meaning: A performance or event where every ticket has been purchased, indicating massive demand.
A sold-out show is the ultimate measure of an artist's popularity — every seat is taken. 'Selling out' a venue is a career milestone. The phrase also has a negative meaning: to 'sell out' means to compromise your artistic integrity for commercial success.
Examples
- The show sold out in under three minutes. 演出门票不到三分钟就卖光了。Las entradas se agotaron en menos de tres minutos.そのショーは3分足らずで完売した。그 공연은 3분도 안 돼서 매진됐다.
- She's sold out every venue on the tour. 她巡演的每一场都座无虚席。Ha llenado todos los recintos de la gira.彼女はツアーの全会場をソールドアウトにした。그녀는 투어의 모든 공연장을 매진시켰다.
- Good luck getting tickets — it's been sold out for weeks. 别想买到票了——已经售罄好几周了。Suerte intentando conseguir entradas — está agotado desde hace semanas.チケット取るの無理だよ——何週間も前から完売してる。티켓 구하기 힘들어 — 몇 주 전부터 매진이야.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: concerts, events, music industry
Tone: impressed, urgent
✓ Do Say
- The show is sold out.演出票已经售罄了。El espectáculo está agotado.そのショーは完売だよ。공연이 매진됐어.
- They sold out Madison Square Garden.他们把麦迪逊广场花园的票卖光了。Llenaron el Madison Square Garden.マディソン・スクエア・ガーデンをソールドアウトにしたんだ。그들이 매디슨 스퀘어 가든을 매진시켰어.
✗ Don't Say
- Be aware of the dual meaning — 'he sold out' can mean commercial success or betraying values注意双重含义——'he sold out'既可以指商业上的成功,也可以指背叛了自己的价值观Ten en cuenta el doble significado — «he sold out» puede significar éxito comercial o traicionar sus valores二重の意味に注意——「he sold out」は商業的成功と信念を裏切ることの両方を意味しうる이중적 의미에 주의해 — 'he sold out'은 상업적 성공일 수도 있고 가치를 배신했다는 뜻일 수도 있어
Origin & History
From theater and entertainment box offices. The dual meaning (tickets sold vs. compromising integrity) has existed since at least the mid-20th century, creating an interesting tension in music culture.
Cultural Context
Era: Mid-20th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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