spin a yarn

By metaphor from spinning fibers into yarn or thread, as for example at a spinning wheel.

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spin a yarn (third-person singular simple present spins a yarn, present participle spinning a yarn, simple past and past participle spun a yarn)

1. (idiomatic) To tell or create a story, especially one which is lengthy or far-fetched.
   • 1864, Anthony Trollope, chapter 14, in Can You Forgive Her?:

     Now I must tell you a little about myself;—or rather, I am inclined to spin a yarn, and tell you a great deal.