spin a yarn: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  USUKAustraliainformalcolloquial
  • To tell a story, often a long, entertaining, or colorful narrative.
  • To relate an anecdote or tale, typically with imaginative detail and embellishment.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Grandpa loves to spin a yarn about his adventures during the war, keeping everyone entertained.

    Al abuelo le encanta contar historias sobre sus aventuras durante la guerra, manteniendo a todos entretenidos.

  • She was spinning a yarn about meeting a celebrity, but I wasn't sure if it was true.

    Ella estaba contando una historia sobre haber conocido a una celebridad, pero no estaba seguro de si era verdad.

  • At the campfire, the guides spun yarns that fascinated the entire group.

    En la fogata, los guías contaban historias que fascinaban a todo el grupo.

• 2.

  USUKinformal
  • To invent or fabricate a story; to tell an untrue account with the intention of deceiving or amusing.

  Examples

  Beta

  • He spun a yarn about being at the office late, but in reality, he was at the concert.

    Inventó una historia sobre estar en la oficina hasta tarde, pero en realidad estaba en el concierto.

  • Don’t believe everything she says; she has a habit of spinning yarns to get attention.

    No creas todo lo que dice; tiene la costumbre de inventar historias para llamar la atención.

  • The salesman spun a yarn about the product’s amazing features to close the deal.

    El vendedor inventó una historia sobre las increíbles características del producto para cerrar la venta.

• 3.

  • To tell or create a story, especially one which is lengthy or far-fetched.