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spool out

B2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To let something gradually unwind or extend, like thread coming off a reel; or for a story to develop slowly

Literal meaning: To let something unwind outward from a spool — fully transparent in literal sense

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To unwind or let out a length of cable, wire, rope, or tape from a reel

"The technicians slowly spooled out the fibre-optic cable from the drum."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic neutral

Of a story, film, or sequence of events, to unfold gradually over time

"The film's plot spools out slowly, revealing new mysteries with each scene."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used literally of cable, wire, rope, or tape unwinding from a reel. Figuratively, used in literary or journalistic writing to describe a narrative unfolding over time. The figurative use requires some language awareness (B2+). Common in technical and creative writing contexts.

Commonly used with

cable wire rope narrative story film

Forms

Base
spool out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spools out
he/she/it
Past simple
spooled out
yesterday
Past participle
spooled out
have + pp
-ing form
spooling out
continuous

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Synonyms

unwind unspool play out unfold unreel extend

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