The phrase "reel off" is a verb that means to say or list things quickly and smoothly, almost as if you are reciting them from memory. It can also mean to unwind or pull something off of a reel, like film or tape.
Simple Explanation:
To Say or List Quickly: When someone "reels off" a list of things, it means they can say them quickly and easily, often without thinking too much about it.
To Unwind or Unroll: It can also mean to take something off a spool or reel, like film or string.
Usage Instructions:
Use "reel off" when you want to describe someone quickly reciting information, like names, facts, or numbers.
You can also use it in a more physical sense when talking about unwinding something.
Examples:
Reciting: "She can reel off the names of all the countries in Africa in just a few minutes."
Unwinding: "He had to reel off the old film from the projector before he could show the new one."
Advanced Usage:
In more advanced contexts, you might find "reel off" used in discussions about performances or presentations where someone demonstrates their knowledge or skills by listing many items rapidly.
Word Variants:
Reel (noun): A cylindrical device on which film, wire, or tape is wound.
Reeling (verb): The act of unwinding or taking something from a reel.
Different Meanings:
Synonyms:
For reciting: List, rattle off, recite, state.
For unwinding: Unroll, unwind, detach.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
Rattle off: Similar to "reel off," it means to say something quickly or without pause, usually a list.
Reel in: This phrasal verb means to catch or bring something closer, often used in the context of fishing or gaining control over a situation.
Summary:
"Reel off" is a versatile phrase that can be used in everyday conversation to describe both the act of quickly reciting information and physically unwinding something from a reel.