spread

a middle-aged spread

the fat area around the waist that a lot of people get as they grow older. A dark blue shirt worn outside his trousers concealed the middle-aged spread.

spread like wildfire

if disease or news spreads like wildfire, it quickly affects or becomes known by more and more people. Once one child in the school has become infected, the disease spreads like wildfire. Scandal spreads like wildfire round here.

See also: like, wildfire

spread the word

to tell other people, often a lot of other people, about something. A meeting has been arranged for next Thursday, so if you see anyone, do spread the word. We need to start spreading the word that recycling is important. (often + that)

See also: word

spread yourself too thin

to try to do too many things at the same time, so that you cannot give enough time or attention to any of them. I realised I'd been spreading myself too thin so I resigned as secretary of the golf club.

See also: thin

spread your wings

to start to do new and exciting things for the first time in your life. The kids had all grown up and left home and I thought it was time to spread my wings and live a little.

See also: wing

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spread the word

to tell others about something. The meeting will be held on Thursday, so if you see anyone who should be there, spread the word.

See also: word

spread (yourself/itself too) thin

1. to try to do too many different things at the same time. Max has spread himself thin and needs to focus on just a couple of his best ideas. The company has expanded into many different areas and has probably spread itself too thin.

2. to not have enough people or equipment to do a job well. The police are spread thin and cannot provide enough protection.

See also: thin

spread your wings

to do new and different things. Since I retired, I've been able to spread my wings and am busier than I was when I worked.

See also: wing