bidding

The activity of offering a price for something, or offering to do work for a price.

• Bidding starts at fifty pounds.
• Online bidding closed at noon.
• Several firms joined the bidding for the building contract.

How to use it: bidding for something (Bidding for the painting was fierce.); bidding on something (Bidding on the contract ends tomorrow.)

Common phrases: competitive bidding, online bidding, bidding for something

An order or request that someone expects you to obey.

• The servants did his bidding.
• She left the room at the king’s bidding.
• Why should I do your bidding?

How to use it: at someone’s bidding (The gates opened at her bidding.); do someone’s bidding (He refused to do their bidding.)

Similar words: command, order

Common phrases: do someone’s bidding, at someone’s bidding