reel off

English edit

Etymology edit

From reel (noun), suggesting a mechanical movement.

Pronunciation edit

Audio (AU) (file)

Verb edit

reel off (third-person singular simple present reels off, present participle reeling off, simple past and past participle reeled off)

(transitive, idiomatic) To list effortlessly and quickly.
- 2005, Independent, "That's settled: England's team for 2006", 10 June:
  There are 12 months left before the next World Cup and every England fan can reel off Sven Goran Eriksson's starting XI within 15 seconds.
- 2008, American Cowboy (magazine), Aug-Sep, vol. 15, no. 2:
  When asked about inspirational influences in his life, he reeled off a list of folks whose names would surprise no one.
(transitive, idiomatic) To produce (e.g. a performance), in an effortless manner.
- 1960 March, G. Freeman Allen, “Europe's most luxurious express - the "Settebello"”, in Trains Illustrated, page 146:
  [...] the average for the entire 123.7 miles from Lavino to Rogoredo was 109.2 m.p.h. and in all the 195.8 miles from Florence to Milan were reeled off in 115.2 min. start to stop at an average of 101.8 m.p.h.
- 1996 February 21, Richmond Times-Dispatch:
  Last year, the Royals were 5-17 and little did anyone think they would reel off 12 straight wins in 1996.
- 2008 July 4, Reuters India, headline:
  Briton Fisher reels off 10 birdies in record 63.

Synonyms edit

Translations edit

list effortlessly and quickly

Bulgarian: чета гладко (četa gladko)
French: débiter (fr)
Norwegian: ramse opp
Polish: snuć (pl) impf
Spanish: decir de carrerilla, recitar de carrerilla, enumerar de carrerilla, citar de carrerilla, declamar de carrerilla
Swedish: rabbla upp (sv)

produce in an effortless manner

Anagrams edit

feel for