spun out

USAGE SUMMARY

"spun out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can also be written as "spun-out." Example: "The writer's imagination spun out in all directions, creating a fantastical world filled with magical creatures and enchanting adventures." In this sentence, "spun out" means to expand or develop rapidly in a particular direction, in this case, the imagination of the writer. It can also refer to something that has been stretched or extended to its limit, as in "Her patience was spun-out after waiting for hours in the line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I totally spun out," she said.

The New York Times - Food

Last year we spun out 23 companies".

Independent

Kenseth then spun out Harvick.

The New York Times - Sports

They also spun out a company.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He spun out in the infield.

The New York Times - Sports

Patrick spun out and could not continue.

The New York Times - Sports

In 2009, Babble was spun out as an independent company.

The New York Times

Mattress spun out on the first turn but deftly recovered.

The New York Times - Sports

The crisis vignettes are skillfully spun out, Grisham style.

The New York Times - Books

Delicate, thin ribbons spun out with little effort.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The fandom also spun-out other enterprises.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In automotive or sports writing, employ "spun out" to describe a vehicle rotating after losing traction, often distinguishing it from a 'crash' or a 'slide'.

Common error

While often used interchangeably, a 'spin-off' usually refers to the distribution of new shares to existing shareholders, whereas a "spun out" company (a spin-out) often involves the parent company retaining more control or the new entity being formed via university research. Choose the term that best fits the specific legal or structural context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spun out" acts as a phrasal verb that can be used transitively or intransitively. As noted by Ludwig, it often describes a physical or metaphorical transition from a state of controlled rotation to a loss of control or a new independent path. It is frequently seen in the past tense to denote a completed action of separation or accident.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "spun out" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, its usage spans from literal automotive descriptions to sophisticated corporate restructuring and psychological metaphors. The phrase is most effective when used to describe an entity or individual that has moved beyond its original bounds, whether by force, accident, or strategic design. Writers should feel confident using it in both journalistic and professional settings, provided the context distinguishes between a loss of control and a strategic business separation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spun off

more common when referring to the creation of a new television show or a specific business entity from a parent company

lost control

emphasizes the inability to manage a vehicle or a situation rather than the physical spinning motion

divested

a formal business term for a company selling off or separating a subsidiary

spiraled

often used to describe a situation or emotion that is worsening rapidly in an uncontrollable way

broke away

suggests a more intentional or forceful separation from a larger group

careered

specifically describes a vehicle moving uncontrollably at high speed

unspooled

a literary way to describe a story or process unfolding, often in a messy or long-winded manner

became independent

removes the metaphorical language to state the end result of a corporate spin-out

panicked

replaces the mental state metaphor with a direct description of the emotion

skidded

refers to the sliding of a vehicle without necessarily implying a full rotation

FAQs

How do you use "spun out" in a business context?

In business, it refers to a subsidiary or project becoming an independent company. For example, "The university research team "spun out" a new biotech startup last year."

What is the difference between "spun out" and "spun off"?

While similar, "spun off" is more common in entertainment (like a TV show) or share-based corporate restructuring, whereas "spun out" often describes a startup emerging from an incubator or academic institution.

Can "spun out" refer to a person's mental state?

Yes, in informal contexts it can mean being mentally overwhelmed or disoriented. You might say, "After the long shift, I felt completely "spun out"."

Is "spun out" used in sports?

It is extremely common in auto racing to describe a driver losing control and rotating. For instance, "The car "spun out" on the final turn but the driver recovered."