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.

Related

big catch · haul · ensnare · capture · persuade · charm · hook · entice · draw · line · gather · spool · secure · lure · net · tighten · tug · convince

Categories
Opposites
fishing/line action

reeling incasting out

Forcing to leave

casting · paying out · throwing out · casting off · unspooling

attraction/acquisition

reeling inpushing away

Forcing something back

letting go · releasing · repelling · driving away · losing

control/restraint

reeling inletting loose

Removing restraints or inhibitions

setting free · unleashing · releasing · loosening · freeing

Family

reel, reeling, reels, reeled, reeler

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G