spun off

USAGE SUMMARY

"spun off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to when a company or organization creates a new business or entity out of a portion of its existing operations. For example, "The company spun off its printing division to form a new business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both of those divisions were spun off.

The Guardian

Merck spun off Medco in August.

The New York Times

Fidelity spun off Geode a year ago.

The New York Times

Reuters spun off its venture group.

The New York Times

The joint company was spun off in 1997.

The New York Times

AngloGold was spun off from Anglo American in 2005.

The New York Times

The home and security division is to be spun off.

The New York Times

Bär spun off its asset-management division in 2009.

The Economist

It was spun off from Kmart in 1995.

The New York Times

Aeroflot reabsorbed regional airlines spun off in the 1990s.

The Economist

It was spun off from Cablevision in 2011.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spun off" when describing the creation of a new, independent entity from a parent company or organization. Ensure the context clearly indicates the original entity and the resulting entity.

Common error

Avoid using "spun off" interchangeably with terms like "sold off" or "divested". "Spun off" implies the creation of a separate entity, while the others suggest a complete transfer of ownership or assets.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "spun off" primarily functions as a descriptor of corporate actions, indicating the creation of a new independent entity from an existing one. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage, confirming its role in business and economic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "spun off" is a common and grammatically correct term primarily used to describe the creation of a new, independent entity from a parent company or organization. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's prevalent in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding the original and resulting entities. While similar terms like "sold off" or "divested" exist, they carry different connotations. Therefore, understanding these nuances is essential for accurate and effective communication. The high frequency and authoritative sources citing "spun off" underscore its importance in describing corporate evolution and restructuring.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separated from

Emphasizes the act of becoming distinct or disconnected.

branched out

Implies expansion or development from an initial point or idea.

divested

Focuses on the act of selling off or transferring ownership.

emerged from

Suggests a gradual appearance or development out of something else.

originated from

Highlights the initial source or starting point.

stemmed from

Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, where something arises as a result of something else.

carved out

Suggests creating something new by carefully separating it from something larger.

derived from

Implies obtaining or developing something from a source.

partitioned

Implies dividing or separating into distinct parts or sections.

budded off

A more informal term suggesting a small offshoot or development.

FAQs

How is "spun off" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "spun off" is usually used to describe a company creating a new independent entity from a part of its existing business. For example, "The tech giant "spun off" its cloud computing division into a separate company".

What are some alternative ways to express the idea of "spun off"?

Instead of saying "spun off", you could use phrases like "branched out", "separated from", or "divested", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between a company being "spun off" and being "sold off"?

Yes, a company that is ""spun off"" becomes a separate, independent entity, often with its own stock and management. When a company is "sold off", it is acquired by another company, ceasing to exist as an independent entity.

What does it mean when a TV show is "spun off" from another show?

In television, ""spun off"" means a new show is created featuring characters or settings that were originally introduced in another, existing show. For instance, "Frasier" was "spun off" from "Cheers".