spit
MediumInformal to neutral; can be vulgar in some contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To force saliva from the mouth; expectorate.
A thin rod for roasting meat; a narrow point of land extending into a body of water.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a verb meaning to expel saliva, but also a noun with distinct meanings in cooking and geography. Often used with prepositions like 'out', 'on', or 'at'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor: British English prefers 'spat' as the past tense, while American English accepts both 'spat' and 'spit'. The noun 'spit' for land is equally common, but 'roasting spit' might be more familiar in culinary contexts.
Connotations
Similar in both: often rude or aggressive when referring to saliva expulsion; neutral for cooking or geography terms.
Frequency
Equally common in everyday informal speech; less frequent in formal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
spit (something) outspit at someonespit on somethingspit into the windVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “spit it out”
- “spit and polish”
- “spit in the wind”
- “spit feathers”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; if so, metaphorically e.g., 'spit out ideas' in brainstorming.
Academic
Seldom used; may appear in biology or linguistics studies on human behavior.
Everyday
Common in informal speech for expressing disgust or anger.
Technical
In cooking for roasting equipment; in geography for coastal formations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He spat out his tea in surprise.
- She spat on the pavement angrily.
American English
- He spit out his gum before the meeting.
- She spit on the ground in disgust.
adverb
British English
- He replied spittingly, full of contempt.
- The rain fell spittingly on the roof.
American English
- She spoke spittingly during the argument.
- The engine coughed spittingly before starting.
adjective
British English
- The spit-roasted lamb was delicious.
- He gave a spit-shine to his boots.
American English
- We enjoyed spit-barbecued chicken at the picnic.
- Her shoes had a spit-polish gleam.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child spits out the vegetable.
- Do not spit on the floor.
- The dog spits when it eats.
- He spat in anger after losing the match.
- She used a spit to cook the meat over the fire.
- The pirate spat on the deck.
- The comedian's joke made the audience spit out their drinks.
- A narrow spit of land divided the two bays.
- He spat venomous words during the debate.
- Her critique was so harsh, it felt like she was spitting fire.
- The geological spit formed a natural harbour over centuries.
- They spat out innovative ideas in the rapid brainstorming session.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SPIT' as 'Saliva Projected In Time' – it helps recall the action of expelling saliva quickly.
Conceptual Metaphor
Anger is a pressurized liquid, as in 'spitting mad' or 'spitting fire' to express intense irritation.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with Russian 'спить' (to sleep), which is unrelated.
- The noun 'spit' for land translates to 'коса', while for roasting it's 'вертел', requiring context awareness.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'spit' as a noun for saliva; correct terms are 'spittle' or 'saliva'.
- Incorrect past tense: 'spitted' is wrong; use 'spat' or 'spit' depending on dialect.
Practice
Quiz
What is the idiomatic meaning of 'spit it out'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be impolite or vulgar when referring to expelling saliva, especially in public contexts, but is neutral in cooking or geography terms.
In British English, 'spat' is standard; in American English, both 'spat' and 'spit' are acceptable for the past tense.
Yes: as a verb, it means to expel saliva; as a noun, it refers to a roasting rod or a narrow point of land.
Context is key: 'spit' for saliva action is a verb, while 'spit' for cooking or land is a noun; note that 'spittle' is a more formal noun for saliva.