bidding

Everyday

1. Offering money for something at an auction. tree →
2. (old-fashioned) A command or request: «do someone's bidding» means to do what they tell you. tree →
3. (verb) Making an offer, or (formal, old) saying something to someone, as in «bidding goodnight». tree →
4. (card games) Saying how many tricks you think you can win. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a servant or a magical creature does its master's bidding. In everyday life and on websites, bidding happens at auctions and on eBay. Phrases: at someone's bidding, bidding war, open the bidding.

Examples

• The bidding for the painting started at one hundred pounds. tree →
• The genie did his master's bidding. tree →
• Two people were bidding for the same bike online. tree →
• The dog came at his bidding. tree →
• She was bidding everyone goodnight. tree →
• A bidding war pushed the price up. tree →
• “Madam, I have done your bidding. tree →

Note

Spelling: double «d» – bidding. Past of bid for auctions is «bid»; in the old «say» sense it can be «bade». Maths: in an auction the highest bid wins.

In Jewish tradition

In stories, a servant or a magical creature does its master's bidding. In everyday life and on websites, bidding happens at auctions and on eBay. Phrases: at someone's bidding, bidding war, open the bidding.

Examples

• 'What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, forasmuch as she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?' (Writings EST.1.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said: 'And who among all thy servants is so trusted as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and giveth heed unto thy bidding, and is honourable in thy house? (Prophets 1SA.22.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: double «d» – bidding. Past of bid for auctions is «bid»; in the old «say» sense it can be «bade». Maths: in an auction the highest bid wins.