spill out
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: 1. To flow or pour out of a container or space, often in an uncontrolled manner: This describes the action of a substance, typically a liquid, escaping from its usual confines. 2. To emerge or overflow from a confined area into a wider one, often referring to people or things: This describes the movement of people or objects exiting a crowded or limited space into a larger, adjacent area.
Usage and Examples
Literal (Liquid/Substance):
- He knocked over the cup, causing the water to spill out onto the table.
- The bag split open, and the rice spilled out all over the kitchen floor.
Figurative (People/Things):
- When the concert ended, the audience spilled out into the plaza.
- Her emotions finally spilled out in a torrent of tears.
- Books and papers spilled out of the overstuffed box.
Advanced Usage
"spill out into (a place)": To spread or extend from one area into another, larger one.
- The protest spilled out into the surrounding neighborhoods.
- The lively atmosphere of the cafe spills out into the street.
"spill out of (a container/space)": To exit or overflow from a specific container or bounded area.
- Fans were spilling out of the stadium gates.
- Light spilled out of the window onto the dark path.
Variants and Related Words
- Spill (verb): The base form, meaning to cause or allow contents to fall or flow out.
- Spillage (noun): An instance or amount of something spilled.
- Spillover (noun): An instance of something overflowing or extending beyond its normal limits (e.g., ).
Synonyms
- Pour out: To flow rapidly and in quantity.
- Gush out: To flow out suddenly and forcefully.
- Overflow: To flow over the brim or limits.
- Stream out: To move out in a continuous flow (often for people).
- Disgorge: To eject or discharge contents.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Spill over: Very similar to "spill out," often used for liquids or abstract concepts like emotions or conflicts extending beyond their origin.
- The conflict in the region threatens to spill over into neighboring countries.
- Spill the beans: (Idiomatic) To reveal a secret.
- I can't believe you spilled the beans about the surprise party!
Related Idioms
- Spill your guts: (Idiomatic) To confess or tell someone everything you know or feel.
- During the interview, she finally spilled her guts about the difficulties she faced.
Verb
- be disgorged
- The crowds spilled out into the streets