Spell it out Meaning in English
expression
ˈspɛɫ/ /ˈɪt/, /ɪt/ /ˈaʊt
SPEL-it-OWT
spˈɛl/ /ˈɪt/ /ˈaʊt
SPEL-it-OWT
Definition
To say or write the letters of a word one by one, or to explain something very clearly and in detail so that it is easy to understand.
Usage & Nuances
Often used when someone wants detailed or simple information. Can be literal (name spelling) or figurative (explaining something simply). In informal dialogue, it sometimes shows impatience: 'Do I have to spell it out for you?'.
Spanish: deletrearlo - explicarlo claramentePortuguese (BR): soletrar - explicar claramentePortuguese (PT): soletrar - explicar claramenteChinese (Simplified): 拼出来 - 解释清楚Chinese (Traditional): 拼出來 - 解釋清楚Hindi: हिज्जे करके बताना - स्पष्ट रूप से समझानाArabic: تهجئة ذلك - شرحه بوضوحBengali: হিজে করা - পরিষ্কারভাবে ব্যাখ্যা করাRussian: по буквам назвать - разъяснить подробноJapanese: 一文字ずつ言う - はっきり説明するVietnamese: đánh vần - giải thích rõ ràngKorean: 철자를 말하다 - 아주 자세히 설명하다Turkish: harf harf söylemek - açıkça anlatmakUrdu: حروف بتانا - واضح طور پر سمجھاناIndonesian: mengeja - menjelaskan dengan jelas
Example Sentences
Can you spell it out for me, please?
basic
The teacher spelled it out so everyone could understand.
basic
Let me spell it out: you need to finish your homework.
basic
I didn’t catch that—could you spell it out?
natural
Do I have to spell it out for you? No phones at the table!
natural
He really had to spell it out before anyone got what he meant.
natural