Phrase Hound found 23 phrases and 17 compound words that contain spoil. The most common are listed below. Open spoil in the live search for definitions, filters, and the full list.
Phrases 23
- Q-spoilSynonym of Q-switch: A device that causes Q-switching.
- spoil the marketTo set higher standards by overachieving, so others look inferior or unmotivated in comparison.
- too many cooks spoil the brothIf too many people participate in a task, especially in a leading role, the task will not be done very well.
- spoil fiveAlternative form of spoilfive: A trick-taking card game in which, if no player wins three of the five tricks possible on any deal, the game is said to be "spoiled".
- spoil heapA heap formed of spoil (material discarded during mining or excavation).
- spare the rod and spoil the childIf one does not discipline a child, they will never learn obedience and good manners.
- spoil someone rottenTo overindulge someone, especially when it results in making them selfish and demanding.
- one bad apple can spoil the barrelOne bad person or element can have a harmful influence on many others.
- spoil marketAlternative form of spoil the market: To set higher standards by overachieving, so others look inferior or unmotivated in comparison.
- spoil heapsplural of spoil heap: A heap formed of spoil (material discarded during mining or excavation).
- spoil somebody rottenAlternative form of spoil someone rotten: To overindulge someone, especially when it results in making them selfish and demanding.
- spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tarTo have something important fail for want of a small amount of money or effort.
- spoil the ship for a hap'orth of tarAlternative form of spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar: To have something important fail for want of a small amount of money or effort.
- too many chefs spoil the brothAlternative form of too many cooks spoil the broth: If too many people participate in a task, especially in a leading role, the task will not be done very well.
- too many cooks spoil the soupAlternative form of too many cooks spoil the broth: If too many people participate in a task, especially in a leading role, the task will not be done very well.
- too many cooks spoil the stewAlternative form of too many cooks spoil the broth: If too many people participate in a task, especially in a leading role, the task will not be done very well.
- you must spoil before you spinOne cannot expect success at the first attempt; practice makes perfect.
- one bad apple can spoil the whole bunchSynonym of one bad apple can spoil the barrel: One bad person or element can have a harmful influence on many others.
- spare the rod and you will spoil the childAlternative form of spare the rod and spoil the child: If one does not discipline a child, they will never learn obedience and good manners.
- spoil-paperAn unskilled writer.
- spoil-papersplural of spoil-paper: An unskilled writer.
- spoil-sportAlternative form of spoilsport: Someone who puts an end to others' fun, especially harmless fun.
- spoil-sportsplural of spoil-sport: Someone who puts an end to others' fun, especially harmless fun.
Compound words 17
- spoilsomeCharacterised by spoiling or ruin; ruinous
- unspoilTo make less spoiled.
- spoillessWithout spoils or plunder.
- spoilationA spoiling or ruining; destruction.
- spoilfulDestructive, pillaging.
- spoilestsecond-person singular simple present indicative of spoil
- spoileththird-person singular simple present indicative of spoil: To strip (someone who has been killed or defeated) of arms or armour.
- spoilersplural of spoiler: One who spoils; a plunderer; a pillager; a robber; a despoiler.
- spoilageThe part of something that has spoiled.
- spoilsportSomeone who puts an end to others' fun, especially harmless fun.