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fan out

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fan out

Fig. to spread out over a wide area. The searchers fanned out, looking for the child lost in the woods. Let's fan out and search a wider area.

See also: fan, out

fan out (from some place)

to spread outward from a particular area. The paths seem to fan out from the wide trail that starts at the house. The trails fanned out and soon we were all separated.

See also: fan, out

fan something out

to spread something out so that all parts can be seen better. (As one opens a wood and paper fan.) Todd fanned the cards out so we could see which ones he held. He fanned out the cards.

See also: fan, out

fan out

to spread over a wide area The police fanned out across the park.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of fan (a device you open and wave in front of you to cool yourself)

See also: fan, out

fan out

v.

1. To move or project outward from a central source or point: The troops landed on the beachhead and fanned out.

2. To lay out or place something in a fanlike shape: I fanned the cards out on the table. They fanned out the photos on the desk so we could see them.

See also: fan, out