# spin doctor

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/spin-doctor
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To generate spin (a favorable interpretation or bias).

## Examples

- The press team works hard to spin doctor every bad headline.
- When the scandal broke, the company hired someone to spin doctor the story in their favor.
- Skilled in the dark arts of public relations, she could spin doctor even the most damaging leak into a tale of corporate resilience.

## Origin

From spin, in the sense of a favourable comment or interpretation, and doctor. The term is first recorded c. 1984 in the New York Times.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.