Meaning & use
spinning a story
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Meanings
phraseidiomfigurative
Presenting or telling a story in a way that makes it seem better, more exciting, or more favorable than it really is.
Grammar: Used as a continuous verb phrase; the object 'a story' can be replaced by other nouns like 'a tale' or 'a narrative'.
Patterns
- spin a story
- spin a tale
- spin a narrative
The politician was accused of spinning a story to hide the truth.
She has a talent for spinning a story that keeps everyone listening.
phraseidiominformal
Inventing a story or excuse, often to deceive someone.
Grammar: Often used with 'about' to specify the topic: spin a story about something.
Patterns
- spin a story about something
He spun a story about being late because of traffic, but I knew he overslept.
Don't spin a story just to avoid trouble.
Common combinations
- spin a story
- The journalist spun a story that captured the public's imagination.
- spin a tale
- Grandfather could spin a tale about his youth for hours.
- spin a narrative
- The media spun a narrative that was not entirely accurate.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tell a story
- Neutral; simply means to narrate, without the implication of shaping or slanting.
- fabricate
- Stronger; means to invent something false, often with deliberate deceit.
Opposites
Practice
Which sentence uses 'spinning a story' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Spinning a story' means telling or inventing a story, so it fits with 'to explain his absence'. The other options use 'spinning' in its literal sense of rotating, which does not combine with 'a story'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “spinning a story”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.