unspooling
Coming off reel
Unspooling describes something unwinding from a spool—thread, film, tape.
The image extends to anything that unfolds gradually: The story unspools over three generations.
Events unspool as they play out in sequence.
A person unspooling is coming apart emotionally, losing composure as if their inner thread were unwinding: She started unspooling after the third glass of wine.
Fiber for stitching
- yarnTwisted strand for crafts
- ribbonSlender ornamental strip
- tapeAdhesive strip on roll
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
wire · cord · string · filament · bobbin · coil · tangle · unwinding
Winding cylinder or dance
- projectorLight-casting display device
- celluloidTransparent flammable synthetic material
- footageRecorded video material
- framesRigid enclosing structures
screening · cinema · splice · canister · threading · flicker · playback · projection
Failure or decomposition
- losing controlAuthority or composure failing
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
spiral · unraveling · falling apart · decompensation · distress · panic · dissolving · crumbling
Account of events
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
unveiling · exposition · flashback · timeline · backstory · mystery · secrets · twist
thread
Fiber for stitching
cable · wire · cord · string · filament · bobbin · coil · tangle · unwinding · loosening
reel
Winding cylinder or dance
- projectorLight-casting display device
- celluloidTransparent flammable synthetic material
- footageRecorded video material
frames · screening · cinema · splice · canister · threading · flicker · playback · projection · moviehouse
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
- losing controlAuthority or composure failing
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
meltdown · spiral · unraveling · falling apart · decompensation · distress · panic · dissolving · crumbling · fraying
story
Account of events
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- disclosureAct of revealing information
confession · unveiling · exposition · flashback · timeline · backstory · mystery · secrets · twist · drama
unspoolingwinding up
Coming to completion
spooling · reeling in · coiling · winding · rewinding
unspoolingcondensing
Reducing in volume
compressing · summarizing · abridging · telescoping · collapsing
unspoolingcoming together
Act of assembling
pulling together · stabilizing · centering · grounding · collecting oneself
spool, spools, unspooled, unspool, spooler, spooling, unspools, spooled, respooled