What does it mean to sell yourself short?

Answer 1

Not doing something to your full potential.

Answer 2

It means not being willing (or able) to describe your strengths, or ask for what you're truly worth--for example, in wages.

For instance, suppose that you like to paint watercolours, and someone admires your latest creation. If you say, "Oh, it was nothing. A monkey can paint as well as I can," you're selling yourself short.

And if someone offers you $100 for the painting, but you respond with, "Oh, no, I couldn't take more than $20 for that ugly old thing," once again you're selling yourself short.

Many people deflect compliments and/or resist what's sometimes termed "tooting your own horn" out of a wish to appear modest. Of course, bragging is not attractive--but merely stating a fact is not the same as bragging.

So it would indeed be bragging to go around claiming that you're the world's best artist. But it *wouldn't* be bragging to state matter-of-factly that you enjoy painting, and (assuming that this is true) that several people have offered you money for things you've produced.

I hope this helps clarify the meaning of the idiom for you.

Answer 3

To sell yourself short is to cut yourself off from your full potential. It comes from the idea of selling yourself for less than you are worth. For example, settling for a relationship with someone who doesn't deserve you could be considered selling yourself short.

Answer 4

'Sell yourself short' means that you aren't giving yourself the credit you deserve. In other words, you may be answering a question about yourself, being modest, yet almost to he point of self-criticism.

Answer 5

it means to not live up to your full potential or get something less of a good deal...

example.. if i have a yard sale, i might have a few costumers who want to bargain... if i give in and sell something for a lot less than it's worth then im selling myself short.

Answer 6

It means to undermine yourself. Omit to say the good qualities about yourself.

Answer 7

when you are self-doubting and don't see the good side of yourself like others do. You list all your bad qualities and only a few good qualities.

Answer 8

it means, if your a prostitute, that when they buy you, you have to get on ur knees. so if someone tells you not to sell urself short, they mean, you dont have to give people head. if someone tells you, you sell ur self short too much, it means u like giving head. you cant learn this stuff in history books man