under a spell
11
6.7
- idiom
- I must have been under a spell.
- put under a spell
- fall under a spell
Examples
-
You're under a spell.
-
"I was under a spell," Netta said.
Fiction book (1993) -
Do you have everyone under a spell?
-
- But he has me under a spell.
-
Are you under a spell?
-
He had you under a spell.
-
The woman couldn't help looking again and again, as if under a spell.
Fiction book (1993) -
I'm under a spell.
Fiction book (1998) -
She's under a spell.
-
The audience was completely under a spell during the magician's performance.
Synonyms
55
7.1
A state when a person is not fully aware and cannot control their actions
49
4.2
Feeling very pleased and attracted by something, as if under a spell
26
6.0
Unable to look away because something is very interesting
9
5.3
Your attention is fixed as if under a spell
8
5.2
So interested that you cannot stop watching or listening
5
7.4
Under a magical spell and very attracted to someone or something
1
9.9
Under a magic spell that makes you do what someone wants
How Influenced
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'so fascinated or influenced...' is directly derivable from combining 'under' (in a state of or subject to) with 'spell' (an enchantment); the article 'a' is semantically light and does not block composition. The spatial/metaphorical use of 'under' + 'spell' to mean being enchanted or influenced is common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would likely infer the idiomatic sense.
Etymology
The idiom under a spell comes from the image of a person caught by a magic spell, where a witch or magician makes them act as if they have no choice. So, saying someone is under a spell means they are 'so fascinated or influenced' that they cannot control their actions or feelings.