The Village Idiom

spit out

The idiom spit out means to say or utter something quickly and forcefully, often with anger or frustration.

Filed under S

In a sentence

  • He took a bite of the sandwich and immediately spit it out because it tasted terrible.
  • The child was chewing on a piece of gum and accidentally spit it out while laughing.
  • The police officer asked the suspect to spit out the gum so he could collect a sample for DNA analysis.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom "spit feathers" is another expression that is related to the idiom "spit out". When someone is said to be "spitting feathers", it means that they are extremely angry or frustrated. The phrase conjures up an image of someone so enraged that they are literally spitting feathers. This idiom is often used to describe someone who is in a state of intense anger and is expressing it in a highly vocal and animated manner.

The idiom "throw out" is yet another expression that can be related to "spit out". When something is "thrown out", it means that it is discarded or rejected. This idiom can be used to describe the act of getting rid of something that is no longer wanted or needed. In the context of "spit out", the phrase "throw out" can be used to emphasize the act of forcefully and decisively rejecting or disowning something, whether it be an idea, opinion, or suggestion.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.