spill over
B2 neutral intransitive intransitive
In simple words
to go past the edge and affect another place or situation
Literal meaning: to spill past the edge
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
to flow over the edge of a container or space because there is too much inside
"The sauce spilled over as the pan boiled too hard."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to spread into another place, area, or situation beyond the original one
"The unrest soon spilled over into nearby towns."
Grammar: inseparable
3 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to continue from one period or activity into another in a way that affects it
"Stress from work was spilling over into his family life."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Common in news and formal writing for violence, conflict, emotions, costs, and effects spreading into other areas.
Commonly used with
violence conflict effects benefits emotion into neighboring areas
Forms
Base
spill over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spills over
he/she/it
Past simple
spilled over
yesterday
Past participle
spilled over
have + pp
-ing form
spilling over
continuous
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Synonyms
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