reeling in
Pulling line back
Reeling in is the act of drawing something toward you by winding a line, typically on a fishing rod: He spent twenty minutes reeling in the marlin.
The phrase extends to any gradual capture or persuasion: The salesman was reeling in another customer.
To reel someone in is to hook their interest and pull them closer.
- attractDraw toward oneself
- catchingAble to be transmitted
- windAir current outdoors
- fishingCatching aquatic creatures
- pullForce toward oneself
big catch · haul · ensnare · capture · persuade · charm · hook · entice · draw · line · gather · spool · secure · lure · net · tighten · tug · convince
reeling incasting out
Forcing to leave
casting · paying out · throwing out · casting off · unspooling
reeling inpushing away
Forcing something back
letting go · releasing · repelling · driving away · losing
reeling inletting loose
Removing restraints or inhibitions
setting free · unleashing · releasing · loosening · freeing