spin a yarn

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spin a yarn

Where it comes from

By metaphor from spinning fibers into yarn or thread, as for example at a spinning wheel.

verb spins a yarn · spinning a yarn · spun a yarn

idiomatic To tell or create a story, especially one which is lengthy or far-fetched. Now I must tell you a little about myself;—or rather, I am inclined to spin a yarn, and tell you a great deal.
Similar: spin a tale

Translations

Every language

verb tell a story

Français	monter un bateau, raconter des balivernes, raconter des salades, raconter des histoires
Русский	рассусоливать rassusolivatʹ

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MLA

"spin a yarn." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/spin%20a%20yarn. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

spin a yarn. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/spin%20a%20yarn

Chicago

"spin a yarn." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/spin%20a%20yarn.

BibTeX

@misc{spin_a_yarn_2026,
  title = {spin a yarn},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/spin%20a%20yarn},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}