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string out

B2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To spread things out in a long thin line, or (slang) to be badly affected by drugs.

Literal meaning: To arrange things in a long string (line) — the slang sense derives from the idea of nerves stretched to breaking point.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To arrange people or things in a long, extended line.

"The convoy was strung out over five miles of mountain road."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic slang

(Slang) To be in a physically or mentally impaired state due to heavy drug use or addiction.

"He was strung out on heroin for years before getting treatment."

3 B2 idiomatic informal

To be extremely tense, anxious, or emotionally exhausted.

"By the end of the project, the whole team was completely strung out."

Usage notes

The physical sense is used to describe soldiers, vehicles, or people spread over a long distance. The drug-related sense ('strung out') is informal/slang and very common in that context. 'Strung out' as an adjective is more frequent than the verbal form.

Commonly used with

line formation troops convoy drugs heroin highway

Forms

Base
string out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
strings out
he/she/it
Past simple
stringed out
yesterday
Past participle
stringed out
have + pp
-ing form
stringing out
continuous

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Synonyms

spread out line up deploy extend disperse

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