by bid

/ˈbaɪˌbɪd/
noun
  1. A bid made at an auction that is not intended to win, but to drive up the price for the actual buyer.
    • She placed a by-bid to ensure the painting sold for a higher price.
    • The antique dealer warned buyers to watch out for by-bids at the estate sale.
    • The auctioneer suspected the last offer was a by-bid from the seller's friend.
Synonyms
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