spin out
verbAmbitransitive, Idiomatic To prolong; to make longer (in time).
- After Ashby summit it was difficult to spin out the more than ample schedule allowance.1941 October, “Notes and News: L.N.E.R. Locomotive Performance in War Conditions”, in Railway Magazine, page 473:
- 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.1957 August 23, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 568:
Automotive, Transport, Vehicles Of a 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.
- Two cars spun out on the icy road and wound up in a ditch.
Automotive, Transport, Vehicles Ambitransitive, Of a driver 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.
Business 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.