reel

reel¹ [ri:l] v

1.) to be confused or shocked by a situation

▪ Norman's brain was reeling, but he did his best to appear calm.

reel from

▪ The party is still reeling from its recent election defeat.

2.) [i]also reel back

to step backwards suddenly and almost fall over, especially after being hit or getting a shock

▪ Diane reeled back in amazement.

▪ The force of the punch sent him reeling against the wall.

3.) [always + adverb/preposition]

to walk in an unsteady way and almost fall over, as if you are drunk

▪ Andy reeled away from the bar and knocked over his stool.

4.) to seem to go around and around

▪ The room reeled before my eyes and I fainted.

reel in [reel sb/sth<=>in] phr v

1.) to wind the reel on a fishing rod so that a fish caught on the line comes towards you

▪ It took almost an hour to reel the fish in.

2.) to get or attract a large number of people or things

= ↑pull in

▪ The programme reels in more than 13 million viewers a show.

reel off [reel sth<=>off] phr v

1.) to repeat a lot of information quickly and easily

▪ Jack reeled off a list of names.

2.) informal to do something again and again

▪ The Yankees reeled off 14 straight wins.

reel ²

reel² n

[: Old English; Origin: hreol]

1.)

a) a round object onto which film, wire, a special string for fishing etc can be wound

▪ a cotton reel

▪ a fishing rod and reel

b) the amount that one of these objects will hold

▪ a reel of film

2.) one of the parts of a cinema film that is contained on a reel

▪ the final reel

3.) a quick ↑folk dance, especially one from Scotland or Ireland, or the music for this