spew out
Verb: 1. To eject or send out in large quantities, often forcefully or rapidly. This can refer to physical substances or, metaphorically, to non-physical things like words or information. - Literal meaning: To expel a large amount of a substance, typically in a stream or flow. - Metaphorical meaning: To produce or utter something in an abundant, rapid, and often uncontrolled or unpleasant manner.
Literal Usage:
- The factory's smokestacks spew out toxic fumes into the atmosphere.
- The volcano spews out molten rocks and ash during an eruption.
Metaphorical Usage:
- Some politicians spew out empty promises during campaign season.
- The angry commentator would spew out insults at anyone who disagreed with him.
- Connotation: The verb "spew out" often carries a negative connotation, implying that what is being ejected is excessive, unwanted, harmful, or expressed in an uncontrolled, vehement way. It is less likely to be used for neutral or positive outflows.
- Figurative Extension: Commonly used to describe the rapid, voluminous, and often aggressive production of language, data, or abstract concepts.
- The malfunctioning printer began to spew out hundreds of blank pages.
- The algorithm spews out recommendations based on your browsing history.
- Spew (verb): The base form, often used interchangeably with "spew out," though "spew" can also stand alone (e.g., ).
- Spew forth (phrasal verb): A more literary variant with the same core meaning (e.g., ).
- Erupt (verb): Can be a synonym in the context of volcanoes or sudden, violent outbursts.
- Gush (verb): Emphasizes a sudden and plentiful flow, often but not always with a more positive or neutral connotation.
- Emit (verb): A more general and neutral term for sending out (e.g., light, sound, substances).
- Eject
- Disgorge
- Emit (more neutral)
- Vomit (stronger, more visceral)
- Spout (often for speech or liquids)
- Spew forth: As mentioned above, synonymous with "spew out," often found in more formal or dramatic contexts.
- Spout off: An informal phrasal verb specifically for talking in a long, angry, or boastful way, which is a subset of the metaphorical use of "spew out."
- He spouted off about his theories for an hour.
While not a direct idiom, the metaphorical use of "spew out" is idiomatic in itself. It frequently appears in constructions criticizing the volume and quality of output. - "To spew out venom/hate": To express extremely hostile or malicious language. - The anonymous online trolls spew out venom from behind their screens. - "To spew out propaganda": To disseminate biased or misleading information in large quantities. - The state-controlled media spews out propaganda daily.
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eject or send out in large quantities, also metaphorical
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the volcano spews out molten rocks every day
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The editors of the paper spew out hostile articles about the Presidential candidate
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