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Sell Ice to Eskimos

What Does "Sell Ice to Eskimos" Mean?

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"Sell ice to eskimos" is an English idiom. It means "to be exceptionally persuasive or convincing in selling something, even if it is not needed or is already readily available."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "sell ice to eskimos" used in a sentence:
  • He had a gift for sales and could sell ice to Eskimos if given the chance.
  • Her ability to sell ice to Eskimos made her one of the top salespeople in the company.
  • In the competitive business world, being able to sell ice to Eskimos can be a valuable skill.
meaning for sell ice to eskimos

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Sell Ice to Eskimos" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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