Meaning of spin out | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To prolong; to make longer (in time).
   ambitransitive, idiomatic
2. 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.
   intransitive
3. 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.
   ambitransitive
4. To form a subsidiary company which continues part of the prior operations of the parent company.

Examples

“After Ashby summit it was difficult to spin out the more than ample schedule allowance.”

“Here we were nearly 8 min. early, and was now a matter of spinning out time, as indeed we did—losing 3 min. from Penrith to Carlisle!—in order not to run into Carlisle more than 5 min. early.”

“Two cars spun out on the icy road and wound up in a ditch.”

“The Formula One driver spun out on a tight curve.”

“Bob accidentally spun out his Mercedes when he hit a patch of black ice.”

CEFR level