spell it out

spell it out (third-person singular simple present spells it out, present participle spelling it out, simple past and past participle spelled it out or (mostly UK) spelt it out)

1. (intransitive) To provide a simple and understandable explanation.

   I'm sorry but I can't spell it out for you, because the whole issue is not that simple.

2. (intransitive) To be explicit, to provide even the obvious details.

   Let me spell it out for you: you are not welcome here.

   This marriage is over, do I have to spell it out?

• (provide explanation): explain, explicate
• (be explicit): rub it in
• spell things out