spin out
To prolong; to make longerTo prolong; to make longer (in time or extent).
» Things began to spin out of control.
Meaning
6 senses(ambitransitive, idiomatic)To prolong; to make longer (in time or extent).
The film was spun out to three hours, despite the plot running out after two.
Somehow I need to spin out this essay to 2,000 words.
prolong or extend
(intransitive)To rotate about the yaw axis while skidding, such that the vehicle's longitudinal axis is no longer aligned with its direction of linear motion.
Two cars spun out on the icy road and wound up in a ditch.
(ambitransitive)To cause one's vehicle to rotate about the yaw axis while skidding, such that the vehicle's longitudinal axis is no longer aligned with its direction of linear motion; or to experience such behavior from one's vehicle.
The Formula One driver spun out on a tight curve.
Bob accidentally spun out his Mercedes when he hit a patch of black ice.
To form a subsidiary company which continues part of the prior operations of the parent company.
(informal)To freak out; to experience a mental health crisis, especially one that is public or damaging; to be drawn into and derailed by a psychotic break, burst of anger, etc; to fail catastrophically, especially if caused by a freak out.
To be at the upper limit of one's cadence, and therefore unable to pedal faster, especially when there is no higher gear available, such as when descending very rapidly.
Examples
13 sentencesThings began to spin out of control.
Tom's car spun out of control.
deToms Wagen geriet außer Kontrolle.
Tom's life spun out of control.
The ball spun out of control.
Things spun out of control very quickly.
Forms
spins out, spinning out, spun out, spun outPhrasal verbs
5 phrasal verbsSynonyms
4 synonymsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Phrasal verbs: introduction — Because it is a phrasal verb