spill

To accidentally let liquid or small things fall out of a container.

• Please do not spill your juice.
• I spilled rice all over the floor.
• She has spilled coffee on her coat.

How to use it: spill something on something (He spilled tea on the table.)

Common phrases: spill a drink, spill something on something, spill some coffee

If liquid or small things do this, they fall out of their container and spread.

• Milk spilled onto the floor.
• The beans spilled out of the bag.
• Blood was spilling from the wound.

How to use it: spill out of something (Coins spilled out of his pocket.); spill onto something (Water spilled onto the carpet.)

Similar words: flow out

Common phrases: spill onto something, spill out, spill over

To move or spread beyond the limits of a place or area.

• People spilled out of the station.
• Sunlight spilled into the hallway.
• The celebrations spilled over into nearby streets.

How to use it: spill into something (The crowd spilled into the street.); spill over into something (The dispute spilled over into public debate.)

Similar words: spread, overflow

Common phrases: spill into something, spill onto something, spill over

An accidental fall, especially from a bicycle, horse, or other moving thing.

• He took a spill on his bike.
• That nasty spill left her with a broken arm.
• Several riders had spills on the wet track.

Similar words: fall, tumble

Common phrases: take a spill, a nasty spill, a bad spill