spin out

If a vehicle does this, it slides and turns sideways because the driver has lost control.

• The car spun out on the ice.
• Two cars spun out on the wet track.
• Did your truck spin out near the bend?

Similar words: skid, fishtail

Common phrases: spin out on ice, spin out at speed

To lose control of your vehicle so it slides and turns sideways.

• I spun out on a wet road.
• The driver spun out while trying to avoid a cyclist.
• Have you ever spun out during a race?

Similar words: skid, lose control

Common phrases: spin out while driving, spin out on corners

To make something last longer, often longer than necessary.

• He spun out his story.
• They spun the meeting out for another hour.
• Can we spin these savings out until June?

How to use it: spin something out (He spun the discussion out until everyone else had left.); spin something out for something (We need to spin our savings out for another month.)

Similar words: prolong, stretch out, draw out

Opposites: shorten

Common phrases: spin out something, spin out a story

To make part of a company into a separate company that continues that part of its work.

• They spun out the software division.
• The company will spin its research team out into a new business.
• Why did the group spin out its transport operations?

How to use it: spin out something from something (They spun out the software business from the parent company.); spin something out into something (The group spun its research unit out into a separate company.)

Similar words: spin off

Opposites: merge

Common phrases: spin out a company, spin out a division

To become very upset or confused and lose control of your feelings or behaviour.

• She started spinning out after the argument.
• I spin out when too many problems arrive at once.
• He was spinning out under the pressure and needed help.

How to use it: spin out over something (He started spinning out over the sudden change of plans.)

Similar words: freak out, lose control, fall apart

Common phrases: spin out emotionally, spin out under pressure

When cycling, your feet are turning as fast as possible, so you cannot gain more speed by pedaling.

• I spin out on steep descents.
• She spun out because her bike had no higher gear.
• Do you spin out before reaching the bottom of this hill?

Common phrases: spin out downhill, spin out easily