fans out
Spreads like rays
To fan out is to spread from a central point, like the ribs of a handheld fan opening.
A search party fans out to cover more ground.
Cards fan out in a player's hand.
The phrase suggests organized dispersal: The troops fanned out across the valley.
It can also describe abstract spreading: The investigation fans out into unexpected areas.
- outspreadStretched fully open
- peacock tailMale peafowl's plumage
- unfurlSpread out from rolled
- emanateTo issue forth
- branchDivision or woody limb
propagate · flow · disperse · disseminate · pattern · bifurcate · diverge · splay · network · bloom · distribute · deploy · cast a wide net · radiate · cascade · sprout · amplify · scatter