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# spin a yarn

phrase (idiom; verb phrase; spin, spins, spun, spinning a yarn)

«spin a yarn» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. to tell a long, exciting story, often invented or exaggerated.
2. (euphemism) to tell lies or a made-up excuse.
3. literally, to make thread (yarn) by twisting wool.

### In the lessons

From sailors' stories told while making rope; everyday, all regions. Can mean good storytelling or a polite way to say lying.

### Examples

- Grandpa loves to spin a yarn about his days at sea.
- He spun a yarn about a dog stealing his homework.
- The old sailor spun a yarn about a giant squid.
- In history we watched people spin yarn on a spinning wheel.
- "Don't spin me a yarn, where were you?" Mum asked.
- The storyteller spun yarns around the campfire.

### Note

Past form is "spun", not "spinned". Can be praise (good stories) or blame (lies). "Yarn" alone in Australia means a chat.