- spin something off
- spin something off†1. Lit. [for something rotating] to release a part that flies away. •
The propeller spun one of its blades off and then fell apart all together.
•It spun off one of its blades.
2. Fig. [for a business] to divest itself of one of its subparts. •The large company spun one of its smaller divisions off.
•It spun off a subsidiary and used the cash to pay down its debt.
3. Fig. [for an enterprise] to produce useful or profitable side effects or products. •We will be able to spin off a number of additional products.
•The development of this product will allow us to spin off dozens of smaller, innovative products for years to come.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.