put a spin on

Idioms  

1. Give a certain meaning or interpretation to. Spin is usually modified by an adjective in this expression, as in Robert was adept at putting positive spin on weak financial reports, or This chef has put a new spin on seafood dishes. Also see spin doctor. [1980s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

put a spin on

Accepting one of his many awards, Johnson’s Trump put a spin on Sally Field’s iconic Oscar acceptance speech.

From Salon ● Jan. 25, 2026

“You can put a spin on anything,” he said.

From The New Yorker ● Oct. 29, 2019

Beloved by animation buffs, the cartoons put a spin on the usual Bugs Bunny/Woody Woodpecker-style anthropomorphic mischief, by largely eschewing dialogue and putting the gangly title character in situations more whimsically bizarre than life-or-death.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2018

For Gay Pride weekend in New York, we set out to put a spin on the idea.

From New York Times ● Jun. 25, 2015

He put a spin on We're, making sure that George knew he was including himself with the Island's management.

From Return to Pleasure Island by Cory Doctorow