Sell-out

Dear Dr English,

What does it mean when something is a Òsell-outÓ? I think I have an idea of what it means but could not understand it in some contexts. I would appreciate some explanation.

Somporn Lertritti

Sell-out is a countable noun but usually used in singular form. It certainly has more than one meaning. When a play or a sporting event is so popular that all the tickets for it have been sold, we say that it is a sell-out.
The opera was a sell-out.

But when you describe someoneÕs behaviour as a sell-out, you mean that they have betrayed you, especially in order to gain an advantage or benefit.
What he has done to us is nothing but a sell-out.

You can also use Òsell-outÓ to describe a situation when someone does not do what they had promised to do or what they should do.
All the promises from the principal to parents were just a sell-out.

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Visible/optical

Dear Dr English,

How do we use these two words in a sentence? Do they have the same meaning; I mean: can they be substituted? Thanks.

Sontichai Chaipratchaya

The meanings of the two words relate to our perception through the eyes but they do not mean the same thing; so they cannot be substituted. Something that is visible is large enough to be seen, or is in a position where it can be seen.
These tiny little things are hardly visible but their existence is very crucial to the environment.
During the month of August, Mars was visible to the naked eye.

One of a few meanings of ÒopticalÓ is related to the appearance of things or the way that people see them.
This painting has given the living room a pleasurable optical effect.

The other meaning is Òrelating or concerned with vision, light or imagesÓ.
Our students have made good use of this new optical microscope.
I hope this helps.

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