reel off

present singular third person reels off · participle present reeling off · participle past reeled off · past reeled off

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see reel, off.

   Synonyms: rattle off, trot out

2. idiomatictransitiveTo list effortlessly and quickly.

   When asked about inspirational influences in his life, he reeled off a list of folks whose names would surprise no one.

   2008, American Cowboy (magazine), Aug-Sep, vol. 15, no. 2

   1 more example

   There are 12 months left before the next World Cup and every England fan can reel off Sven Goran Eriksson's starting XI within 15 seconds.

   2005, Independent, "That's settled: England's team for 2006", 10 June

3. idiomatictransitiveTo produce (e.g. a performance), in an effortless manner.

   Briton Fisher reels off 10 birdies in record 63.

   2008 July 4, Reuters India, headline

   2 more examples

   [...] the average for the entire 123.7 miles from Lavino to Rogoredo was 109.2 m.p.h. and in all the 195.8 miles from Florence to Milan were reeled off in 115.2 min. start to stop at an average of 101.8 m.p.h.

   1960 March, G. Freeman Allen, “Europe's most luxurious express - the "Settebello"”, in Trains Illustrated, page 146

   Last year, the Royals were 5-17 and little did anyone think they would reel off 12 straight wins in 1996.

   1996 February 21, Richmond Times-Dispatch