spit it out
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
Stop waiting and just say what you want to say!
Literal meaning: To forcefully eject something from the mouth — here applied to words being 'held' in the mouth
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
Used as an impatient command telling someone to stop hesitating and say what they want to say
"You've been staring at the floor for five minutes — just spit it out!"
"Spit it out, man! What are you trying to say?"
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
Used to encourage someone to confess or admit something they are reluctant to reveal
"The teacher could see he knew where the ball had gone. 'Spit it out,' she said."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Almost exclusively used as an imperative ('Spit it out!'). The pronoun 'it' is fixed — you cannot say 'spit the news out' in this idiom. Conveys impatience or mild frustration. Common in British and American English alike.
Commonly used with
come on just already tell me well
Forms
Base
spit it out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spits it out
he/she/it
Past simple
spited it out
yesterday
Past participle
spited it out
have + pp
-ing form
spiting it out
continuous
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Synonyms
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