reel out
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
to let something come out bit by bit, or to say a lot of things one after another
Literal meaning: to unwind something out from a reel
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
to unwind rope, line, cable, or similar material and let it out
"They reeled out more cable as the boat moved away from the dock."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
neutral
to say or tell something in a long, continuous, or mechanical way
"He reeled out the same explanation he gives every time he's late."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
This is less common than 'reel off'. It is used literally for rope, wire, or line, and figuratively for words or stories.
Commonly used with
line rope cable story speech details
Forms
Base
reel out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
reels out
he/she/it
Past simple
reeled out
yesterday
Past participle
reeled out
have + pp
-ing form
reeling out
continuous
Understand "reel out" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "reel out" on Looplines