spread eagle

/ˈsprɛdˌiɡəl/
adjective
  1. Having arms and legs stretched out wide.
    • The starfish was spread-eagle on the rock, drying in the sun.
    • The spread-eagle pose is common in yoga for opening the chest.
    • He lay spread-eagle on the floor after the long run.
noun
  1. A position with arms and legs stretched out wide.
    • The gymnast held a perfect spread-eagle on the balance beam.
    • The diver entered the water in a spread-eagle position.
    • The child made a spread-eagle in the sand at the beach.
verb
  1. To stretch out with arms and legs spread wide apart, like an eagle with spread wings.
    • The police officer ordered the suspect to spread-eagle against the wall.
    • The child spread-eagled on the grass to make a snow angel.
    • She spread-eagled her arms and legs on the beach towel to soak up the sun.
  2. To defeat or overwhelm completely; to trounce.
    • The home team spread-eagled their rivals in the championship game.
    • The new company spread-eagled the competition with its innovative product.
    • Her speech spread-eagled all opposing arguments with clear logic.
Antonyms
What does "spread eagle" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean