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to spit

to spit

99 6.3
To say words quickly and angrily to show strong dislike
  • verb
  • /spɪt/
  • Informal
translation icon : decir con desprecio
  • If you got something to say, spit it out!

Examples

Synonyms

to yell at
vsto spit
379 1.4

Shout in an angry voice at someone

is not about loudness but about anger or contempt in words or acts
to curse
vsto spit
  • Offensive
192 4.1

To say bad words in anger

is broader than profanity and includes acts showing contempt or anger
to lash out
vsto spit
71 5.6

Suddenly say angry things about someone by speaking or writing

is not necessarily sudden or impulsive in its anger
to sneer
vsto spit
39 5.6

Smile or speak to show you do not respect someone

is mainly about angry or contemptuous words or actions not only looks
to hiss
vsto spit
31 4.2

To speak in a low, sharp voice to show anger or warn someone

is not tied to a hissing sound and covers many angry ways
to cuss
vsto spit
  • NSFW
30 8.1

To say swear words when angry or frustrated

is not limited to swearing and covers other contempt or angry behaviour
to mouth off
vsto spit
  • Informal
28 8.3

To speak rudely and loudly to a person in charge

is not limited to rude backtalk and includes various angry acts
to snarl
vsto spit
21 5.8

To say something in an angry, sharp voice

is broader and can be angry without that sharp abrupt tone
to spit out
vsto spit
  • Informal
15 4.4

To say words quickly and angrily to show dislike

is less about rapid force and more about general angry or contemptuous behaviour
to chew out
vsto spit
  • Informal
13 7.0

Scold someone angrily in front of others

is not limited to formal scolding and covers many angry acts
to sputter
vsto spit
12 6.5

To speak in short angry bursts with spitting sounds

is not about those explosive sounds and is broader angry behaviour
to give (someone) lip
vsto spit
  • Informal
8 8.4

Talk back to someone in a rude way

is not only cheeky replies but any angry words or actions
to swear at
vsto spit
  • Offensive
7 6.5

Say rude words to someone when angry

is not limited to rude speech and covers many angry actions or tones
to cuss at
vsto spit
  • Offensive
5 8.1

To say rude words to someone or something

is not always about direct swearing and can be nonverbal contempt
to cheek
vsto spit
  • Informal
3 8.6

To speak rudely to someone

is wider than mere rudeness and covers contempt or angry action
to lip off
vsto spit
  • Informal
1 8.9

Talk back rudely to someone in charge

is broader than backtalk and includes many angry or contemptuous forms
to shoot from the lip
vsto spit
  • Informal
1 8.9

To speak quickly without thinking and risk upsetting people

is about angry or contemptuous speech or action rather than impulsiveness
to spit poison
vsto spit
  • Informal
7.9

Say very angry, hurtful things to someone to hurt them

is angry or contemptuous but usually less intensely malicious
7.8

Say angry, cruel things about someone

is general anger or contempt rather than focused bitter malice
piece of someone's mind
vsto spit
  • Informal
7.5

Tell someone angrily that you are unhappy with them

is broader and can apply to acts or words beyond direct complaints
to bite out
vsto spit
  • Informal
7.5

Say something suddenly and sharply when angry or annoyed

is not only abrupt and can include calm contempt or actions
splutter
vsto spit
7.9

A short, broken sound made by a person's voice when angry or confused

is not defined by noisy speech and also covers plain angry acts
to let out a curse
vsto spit
  • Offensive
6.8

To say a bad word when you feel angry or hurt

is broader and includes contemptuous acts not only momentary swearing

Idioms

1 9.1

A very small amount with little effect on a big problem

1 9.9

To feel very angry and show it

Keep the useful parts and ignore the rest

Have a childish angry outburst when you do not get your way

Act in a way that shows strong disrespect and insults someone

Phrasal Verbs

94 2.3

To push food or drink out of your mouth

to spit out
  • Informal
15 4.4

To say words quickly and angrily to show dislike

1 4.1

To push food, milk, or phlegm out of the mouth

to spit poison
  • Informal
7.9

Say very angry, hurtful things to someone to hurt them

to spit up
  • Informal
7.7

To give something, often money, because others make you do it

Compounds

spit and polish
  • Informal
1 7.0

Careful cleaning and neat order, especially in the military

spit curl
  • Archaic
1 8.4

A small lock of hair styled flat on the forehead or cheek

9.1

A simple, old pub where local people drink cheap drinks

How Angry

to scream
1.0
to spit
  • Informal
99 6.3
to snap
151 4.0
to grumble
41 3.7
to mutter
140 3.7

Surface Forms

spit infinitive
spitting present participle
spits third person singular
spat past
spat past participle

Etymology

Spit (to say angrily) grew from the physical action of spitting: people pictured words as if they were 'thrown' from the mouth. That's why to spit words means to say them quickly and with anger or contempt.