spread out
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (intransitive):
- To move apart from a central point or from each other; to become distributed over a wider area.
- To extend or stretch over an area; to cover a larger space.
Verb (transitive):
- To open, unfold, or stretch something so that it covers a larger area.
- To distribute or scatter things over an area.
- To arrange things in a line or over an expanse.
Examples of Usage
Intransitive Verb:
- After the meeting, the crowd began to spread out.
- The city spreads out for miles from the downtown core.
- Please don't all stand together; spread out and look for the lost keys.
Transitive Verb:
- She spread out the map on the table to plan the route.
- He spread the documents out so he could compare them side by side.
- The farmer spread out the hay to dry in the sun.
Advanced Usage
"to spread oneself out": To relax by stretching one's body to occupy more space.
- After the long drive, he spread himself out on the sofa.
"to spread out payments/work": To distribute something (like cost or effort) over a period of time.
- You can spread out the loan payments over five years.
- It's better to spread out the revision rather than cramming the night before.
Variants and Related Words
Spread (verb/noun): The base form, meaning to extend over an area or to distribute.
- The fire spread quickly. (verb)
- The spread of the virus was alarming. (noun)
Outspread (adjective/verb): Fully extended or stretched out.
- He welcomed them with outspread arms. (adjective)
Synonyms
- Disperse: To break up and scatter.
- Scatter: To throw or drop things so they spread over an area.
- Fan out: To move outward from a central point in different directions, like the shape of a fan.
- Deploy: To spread out or arrange strategically (often used for people or resources).
Related Phrasal Verbs
Spread over: To cover a period of time or an area.
- The festival is spread over three weekends.
Spread through: To move through and affect a whole area or group.
- Rumors spread through the office quickly.
Related Idioms
Spread too thin: To attempt to do so many things that one cannot do any of them effectively.
- By taking on two extra jobs, he was spread too thin and his health suffered.
Spread like wildfire: To disseminate or become known very rapidly.
- News of the scandal spread like wildfire.
Verb
- spread out or open from a closed or folded state
- open the map
- spread your arms
- move away from each other;
- The crowds dispersed
- The children scattered in all directions when the teacher approached
- turn outward
- These birds can splay out their toes
- ballet dancers can rotate their legs out by 90 degrees
- extend in one or more directions
- The dough expands
- strew or distribute over an area
- He spread fertilizer over the lawn
- scatter cards across the table
- set out or stretch in a line, succession, or series
- the houses were strung out in a long row
- move outward
- The soldiers fanned out