spill (redirected from spilling)

cry over spilled milk

Fig. to be unhappy about what cannot be undone. (See also It's no use crying over spilled milk.) He is always crying over spilled milk. He cannot accept reality. It can't be helped. Don't cry over spilled milk.

See also: cry, milk

It's no use crying over spilled milk. and Don't cry over spilled milk.

Prov. Do not be upset about making a mistake, since you cannot change that now. I know you don't like your new haircut, but you can't change it now. It's no use crying over spilled milk. OK, so you broke the drill I lent you. Don't cry over spilled milk.

See also: crying, milk, use

spill (out) into something and spill (over) into something

to be so great in number or volume as to expand into another area. The crowd spilled out into the street. The well-wishers spilled over into the neighbor's yard.

spill one's guts

Sl. to tell all; to confess. I had to spill my guts about the broken window. I didn't want you to take the blame. Mary spilled her guts about the window. She confessed that she was trying to shield Bob.

See also: gut

spill out (of something)

to scatter, flow, or drop out of something. All the rice spilled out of the box onto the floor. The rice spilled out on the floor.

See also: out

spill over 

1. [for a container] to overflow. I hope your bucket of water doesn't spill over. The milk glass spilled over because it was filled too full.

2. [for the contents of a container] to overflow. The bucket is too full. I don't know why the water doesn't spill over. The milk spilled over because you overfilled the glass.

spill over on(to) someone or something

[for something] to scatter, flow, or drop (out of something) onto someone or something. The bowl of milk spilled over onto the children when they jarred the table. The bowl spilled over on the floor.

spill the beans and spill the works

Fig. to give away a secret or a surprise. There is a surprise party for Heidi on Wednesday. Please don't spill the beans. Paul spilled the works about Heidi's party.

See also: bean

take a spill

to have a fall; to tip over. (Also with bad, nasty, quite, etc. Also with have.) Ann tripped on the curb and took a nasty spill. John had quite a spill when he fell off his bicycle.

See also: take

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spill your guts  (American & Australian informal)

to tell someone all about yourself, especially your problems Why do people take part in these shows and spill their guts on camera in front of a studio audience?

See also: gut

spill the beans

to tell people secret information It was then that she threatened to spill the beans about her affair with the president.

See also: bean

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spill your guts

to tell secret or personal information She thinks you should share such things only with your family, and not spill your guts to every stranger you see.

See also: gut

spill over

to reach or influence a larger area The fighting may spill over the border and start a wider war. Layoffs in one industry often spill over into other industries.

spill the beans

to let secret information become known My husband was afraid to spill the beans about the cost of his purchases.

See also: bean