belly out
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
When something puffs out and gets round and big in the middle, like a balloon being blown up.
Literal meaning: To push outward like a belly (stomach) does when full.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
neutral
Of fabric, a sail, or similar material: to swell outward in a curved, rounded shape due to wind or pressure.
"The yacht's mainsail bellied out as the wind picked up across the bay."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
neutral
Of clothing or a garment: to hang or protrude outward in a loose, rounded way.
"His shirt bellied out in the breeze as he ran across the field."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Mostly used to describe sails, fabric, or similar flexible surfaces. Rare in everyday speech; more common in nautical or literary contexts.
Commonly used with
sail canvas sheet curtain parachute fabric
Forms
Base
belly out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bellies out
he/she/it
Past simple
bellied out
yesterday
Past participle
bellied out
have + pp
-ing form
bellying out
continuous
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