sell oneself to someone—
1. present oneself in a favorable light; convince other people of one’s merits:
- You’re selling yourself to your employer, and attitude and dress are really all you need for that.
Cf.: sell oneself short—underestimate oneself:
- My parents have always taught me to take pride in everything I do and not to sell myself short.
2. sacrifice one’s principles, especially for monetary gain:
- That literally was the straw which broke the camel’s back, where they asked me to sell myself to the government.
sell someone out to someone—betray a person deceitfully to his adversary:
- It is revealed that she is just as ruthless as her employer, selling him out to the presidium in order to take over as chairman…