reel off

Rattle them out

To reel off is to recite or produce something rapidly and fluently, as if unwinding from a spool: She reeled off the names of every state capital.

The phrase suggests effortless recall or output—statistics, facts, accomplishments, excuses.

Someone reeling off a list doesn't pause to think.

enumerate

list

Sequence of recorded items

inventory · tally · enumerate · tabulate · run through · name · roll call · register · roster · manifest

recite

recitation

Oral delivery from memory

articulate · verbalize · declaim · deliver · perform · quote · spiel · patter · script · rehearsed

Categories
Opposites
fluency and ease of delivery

reel offhem and haw

Speak evasively, delay deciding

draw a blank · rack one's brain · forget · muddle through · eke out

quantity and completeness

reel offhold back

Prevent forward movement

withhold · clam up · omit · suppress · keep to oneself

Family

off, reel, offset, reeling, reels, offshoot, reeled, offload, offed

Familiarity
Top 20,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G