Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[perspectives]

Hi,

What does 'selling alibis' mean in part of the following lyrics of Bob Dylan's Like A Rolling Stone? Moreover, is it a frequently used phrase? Could you give an exmample? Thanks in advance!!


You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He's not selling any alibisAs you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?

perspectives

[pugachevV]

An alibi is a claim or a piece of evidence that you were somewhere else when a certain (usually illegal) act took place.

If you sell an alibi it means that you will say (to the police) that A was somewhere else when the act took place, provided that A (or someone else) pays you to do it.