expression, ichidan verb
sell below cost; be below the cost price
Used in business contexts when a selling price falls below the original purchase cost, resulting in a loss. Often implies an undesirable or forced situation.
在庫処分で元値が切れてしまった。
We ended up selling below cost to clear the inventory.
この価格では元値が切れる
At this price we'd be selling below cost, so we can't discount any further.