spin up

To start or create a computer system or service so it is ready to use.

• Let’s spin up a test server.
• She spun up three new virtual machines.
• The system spins up extra containers when demand rises.

How to use it: spin up something / spin something up (We can spin up a new server in minutes.)

Similar words: launch, start up, create

Opposites: shut down

Common phrases: spin up a server, spin something up

For a computer disk to start turning fast enough for the computer to read or store information.

• The disk takes time to spin up.
• The drive spun up before reading the file.
• Wait for the hard disk to spin up.

Opposites: spin down

Common phrases: spin up a disk, spin up fully

To become fully active or reach the highest working level.

• The new team is still spinning up.
• Production spun up to full capacity last month.
• How long will the operation take to spin up?

How to use it: spin up to something (The plant took a week to spin up to full capacity.)

Similar words: ramp up, get up to speed

Opposites: wind down

Common phrases: spin up to capacity, spin up fully

To invent something, especially a story or excuse that is not true.

• He spun up a silly excuse.
• They spun up a story about stolen money.
• Did she spin that whole tale up?

How to use it: spin up something / spin something up (He spun up an excuse for missing the meeting.)

Similar words: make up, invent, fabricate

Common phrases: spin up a story, spin up an excuse