ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spin doctor

idiom
Meaning

To generate spin (a favorable interpretation or bias).


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

From spin (“a favorable comment or interpretation”) + doctor. First use appears c. 1984 in the New York Times.

Examples
SIMPLE

The press team works hard to spin doctor every bad headline.

CONTEXTUAL

When the scandal broke, the company hired someone to spin doctor the story in their favor.

COMPLEX

Skilled in the dark arts of public relations, she could spin doctor even the most damaging leak into a tale of corporate resilience.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    good doctor

    An honorific form of address to a doctor.

  2. 02

    make someone's head spin

    To cause someone to be dizzy.

  3. 03

    spin a yarn

    To tell or create a story, especially one which is lengthy or far-fetched.

  4. 04

    spin one's wheels

    To make no progress despite making an effort; to get nowhere.

  5. 05

    spin out

    To prolong; to make longer (in time).

  6. 06

    spin someone's wheels

    To excite someone; to stir someone's emotions.

  7. 07

    take for a spin

    To test or try out something, especially an automobile.

  8. 08

    the good doctor

    An honorific for a doctor, especially for a doctor of medicine (a physician) or for Dr. Samuel Johnson.

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