The phrase "giving away the store" means to offer too much or to be too generous in a negotiation. Its spelling is straightforward. "Giving" is spelled as [ˈɡɪvɪŋ], with a hard "g" sound and a short "i" sound. "Away" is pronounced as [əˈweɪ], with a schwa sound in the first syllable and a long "a" sound in the second syllable. "The" is usually pronounced as [ðə], with a voiced "th" sound and a schwa sound. Lastly, "store" is spelled as [stɔr], with a long "o" sound and a final "r" sound that is pronounced.
The phrase "giving away the store" refers to an act of excessive generosity or a situation where someone makes unfair or imprudent concessions. It is commonly used in informal language to describe individuals or entities who are overly generous to the point of sacrificing their own interests.
In a literal sense, "giving away the store" can be understood as an action in which a storeowner or business person, underestimating the value of their inventory or assets, offers items or services for significantly lower prices or gives them away for free. However, the phrase is more often used metaphorically to describe situations where individuals or organizations excessively compromise or surrender in negotiations, compromising their own position or advantage.
This idiom often carries a negative connotation, as it implies a lack of prudence or savvy in business dealings or decision-making. It can also be used in a political context to criticize a government or politician who is seen as making unfair concessions or providing excessive benefits to other nations or interest groups.
Overall, "giving away the store" denotes a scenario where someone or something relinquishes valuable resources, advantages, or power without proper consideration or adequate benefit in return, resulting in a potential loss or disadvantage.