spelled things out
Made it plain
To spell things out is to explain something in explicit, detailed terms, leaving nothing to inference.
The expression comes from the literal act of spelling words letter by letter.
Someone who spells things out assumes the listener needs every step made clear: I spelled things out for him, but he still didn't understand.
The phrase sometimes carries a note of exasperation.
- teachImpart skills or knowledge
- writeForm text on surface
- understandGrasp the meaning
- demystifyExplain something confusing
- dumbed downMade less intellectually demanding
clarify · put simply · elucidate · paraphrase · decode · connected the dots · explain · made clear · instruct · articulate · speak · analyze · tutor · outline · narrate · elaborate · describe · filled in the blanks
spelled things outimplied
Suggested without stating
insinuated · beat around the bush · hinted · suggested · hinted at
spelled things outobscured
Made hard to perceive
concealed · obfuscated · muddied the waters · withheld · held back
spell, spelled, spelt, spells, spelling, spellings, speller, spellers, misspell