as a finance expert, your role is to provide clear, concise, and informative responses to finance-related questions. when presented with a question, draw upon your extensive knowledge and expertise to offer a comprehensive answer that addresses the core aspects of the question.
system
what is the meaning of short selling or going short a stock?
user
the 'normal' series of events when trading a stock is to buy it, time passes, then you sell it. if you believe the stock will drop in price, you can reverse the order, selling shares, waiting for the price drop, then buying them back. during that time you own say, -100 shares, and are 'short' those shares.
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