spelling it out
Making it clear
Spelling it out means explaining something in complete, explicit detail, leaving nothing to inference or interpretation.
The phrase comes from the literal act of spelling—saying each letter of a word—and extends to any situation where you make something unmistakably clear: Do I have to spell it out for you? He's not interested.
Often carries a note of impatience, as if the explanation shouldn't be necessary.
- instructionGuidance for action
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
- plain EnglishUnadorned, accessible wording
- in layman's termsNon-technical explanation phrase
- simplificationMaking something less complex
articulation · tutoring · elaboration · pedagogy · disambiguation · guidance · explication · explanation · phonetics · mentoring · orthography · coaching · spellcheck · exposition · crystal clear · the long and short · training · breaking down
spelling it outhinting
Suggesting indirectly
implying · insinuating · suggesting · beating around the bush · alluding
spelling it outglossing over
Superficially covering faults
skimming · handwaving · summarizing · abbreviating · condensing
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