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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

spin a yarn en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

By metaphor from spinning fibers into yarn or thread, as for example at a spinning wheel.

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) To tell or create a story, especially one which is lengthy or far-fetched.
    • Now I must tell you a little about myself;—or rather, I am inclined to spin a yarn, and tell you a great deal. 1864, Anthony Trollope, chapter 14, in Can You Forgive Her?:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
spinning a yarn Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
spun a yarn Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
spun a yarn Tense=Past lexicographic
spins a yarn Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic

Deriveds

yarn-spinner

Synonyms

spin a tale

Translations (10)

pl bajać (tell a story) · pl opowiadać głodne kawałki (tell a story) · fr raconter des salades (tell a story) · fi kertoa satuja (tell a story) · fr raconter des histoires (tell a story) · fi sepittää (tell a story) · pl sprzedać historię (komuś, a false one) (tell a story) · fr monter un bateau (tell a story) · ru рассусоливать (tell a story) · fr raconter des balivernes (tell a story)