The spelling of the word "spits up" is phonetically represented as /spɪts ʌp/. In this transcription, the "s" sound is followed by the short "i" vowel sound and the "t" sound. The "u" sound is pronounced as a schwa sound, which sounds like "uh". The "p" sound is followed by a brief pause or aspiration, indicated by the diacritic symbol "/ʰ/". The word "spits up" is commonly used to describe the action of a baby bringing up small amounts of milk or food after feeding.
Spits up is a phrasal verb that can be used in different contexts and carries various meanings. One common usage refers to infants regurgitating or expelling small amounts of food or liquid from their mouths. When babies spit up, it typically occurs after feeding, and it is often the result of excessive air swallowed during feeding or an immature digestive system. It may appear as a gentle burp or a more forceful projection.
Another meaning of spits up is related to vomiting or the act of forcefully expelling the contents of the stomach through the mouth. This usage typically applies to individuals of all ages and is often associated with feeling sick, having an upset stomach, or experiencing food poisoning. When someone spits up in this context, it signifies a more forceful and larger expulsion of stomach contents than the gentle regurgitation of an infant.
In another sense, spits up can be employed metaphorically to describe a situation where someone unexpectedly and unintentionally reveals or discloses sensitive information or secrets. It conveys the idea of accidentally letting out information that was supposed to remain hidden. This usage usually refers to verbal slips or unconscious divulging of confidential matters.
Overall, spits up holds different meanings depending on the context: the regurgitation of small quantities of food or liquid by infants, the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through vomiting, or the accidental disclosure of confidential information.
The phrase "spits up" can be broken down into two words: "spit" and "up".
1. "Spit": The word "spit" has its roots in Old English, where it was spelled as "spittan". This word initially had the literal meaning of "to eject saliva or phlegm from the mouth", but it also extended to include the act of forcibly expelling any liquid or substance from the mouth or throat. Over time, "spit" has evolved to refer to expelling anything through the mouth, often with some force or projection.
2. "Up": The word "up" is derived from Old English and has the general meaning of "in a higher position" or "toward a higher point". It is commonly used in expressions to indicate motion or direction, indicating movement from a lower position to a higher one.