fly1 verbfly2 nounfly3 verbfly4 adjective
flyfly1 /flaɪ/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense flew /fluː/, past participle flown /fləʊn $ floʊn/) 
VERB TABLE
fly
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | fly |
| he, she, it | flies | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | flew |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have flown |
| he, she, it | has flown | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had flown |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will fly |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have flown |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am flying |
| he, she, it | is flying | |
| you, we, they | are flying | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was flying |
| you, we, they | were flying | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been flying |
| he, she, it | has been flying | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been flying |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be flying |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been flying |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Are you going to fly or drive?
- As I slowed down another car flew past me and turned to the left.
- Brenda's learning to fly.
- Fighter jets fly at incredibly high speeds.
- Flocks of seagulls flew overhead.
- Her long hair was flying in the wind.
- His company flew him to Rio to attend the conference.
- I'm not allowed to fly visitors into the National Park area without permission.
- I flew Aeroflot out of Moscow.
- Lindbergh was the first man to fly the Atlantic.
- Medical equipment and food are being flown into the areas worst hit by the disaster.
- My mother never liked flying.
- Papers were flying around in the wind.
- Some kids were flying kites in the park.
- Stan flew helicopters in Vietnam.
- The bus was flying along when suddenly the driver slammed on the brakes.
- The ship is flying the Dutch flag.
- They were forced to fly the country in 1939.
- We'll be flying from New York to Munich.
- We're flying nonstop from Milwaukee to Orlando.
- By the end of the year he had converted to twin-engined fighters, joining 252 Squadron to fly Blenheim IVFs and Beaufighters.
- Her fa-ther stood up, and the magpie, delighted, flew round and round with a marvelous clatter.
- Her heart broke and her soul flew to heaven.
- I managed to roll clear just as it flew off into the air, never to be seen again.
- Stop flying before it becomes too windy to move or fly the glider.
- The number of training sorties flown by its pilots had dropped 7. 8 percent a year for nearly a decade.
- This is when the pilots who have been hibernating during the winter months get their gliders out and start flying again.
THESAURUS
to move or go with someone or something from one place to another: · Don’t forget to take your keys.· Shall I take you home?· I took Alice a cup of tea.
to take someone or something to the place where you are now: · We’ve brought someone to see you!· Will you bring your photos with you when you come?
to take large quantities of goods from one place to another in a plane, train, ship etc: · The plane is used for transporting military equipment.· The coal was transported by rail.
to take goods, letters, newspapers etc to someone’s home or office: · Unfortunately, the package was delivered to the wrong address.
to take someone or something somewhere by plane: · The bread is specially flown in from Paris.
to take goods from one place to another – this can be by ship, truck, plane, or train: · Half the whisky is shipped to Japan and the US.
to take people or goods somewhere – used especially when saying how many people or things, or what kind: · The new plane can carry up to 600 passengers.· The ship was carrying a full cargo of oil.
to take someone to a place by going in front of them: · He led Julia through the house to his study.· Roland led the way back to the car in silence.
to take someone to a place and show them the way: · Emily guided him through a side gate into a large garden.
to take someone to a place and protect or guard them: · The prisoner was escorted into the room by two police officers.· The singer was escorted by her assistant and her bodyguard.
to politely lead someone somewhere and show them where to go, especially because it is your job to do this: · We were ushered into the lift by a man in uniform.
Longman Language Activatorwhat you say when you are going to leave British /I'm outta here American informal · Okay, I'm off now.· Right. I'm off to bed.· That's it. I'm outta here!
British /I gotta go American said when you have to go somewhere: · Anyway, I gotta go. Catch up with you later.I must be going: · I must be going. I've got to pick the kids up at four.
British said when you have to hurry: · I'll have another coffee ,and then I must dash.
also I'd better make a move British said when you want to start getting ready to leave soon: · We'd better make tracks, or we'll miss our train.· I think we'd better make a move before it gets dark.
said when you want to leave quickly to avoid danger or something unpleasant: · Oh no. It's him again. I'm getting out of here!
time passes quickly · The rest of the weekend went too quickly -- he wanted it to last forever.· Today can't go fast enough for me.· The summer seems to have come and gone so quickly.make something go faster/more quickly (=to make work, a journey etc seem to take less time than it really does) · Reading on the train makes the journey go more quickly.· It's great having you to talk to. It makes the time go faster.
if a period of time flies by , it seems to pass very quickly, especially when you have been very busy or enjoying yourself: · The afternoon flew by as they went through the next scene together.· Hours can fly by as I write, and I don't even notice.· Time is flying by quickly now and it seems impossible that there are only three months left.
use this when you are surprised at how quickly the time has passed, especially when you have been enjoying yourself: · Is Richard eight already? Doesn't time fly?· "Hasn't the afternoon passed quickly?" said Carol. "Time flies when you're having fun."
if the minutes, the hours, time etc tick away , it passes, especially when you must do something before a particular time or when you are frightened or nervous: · He had to watch the minutes tick away while the emergency services tried to locate him. · Aware of how the minutes were ticking away, Julia desperately scribbled down the last few answers.
WORD SETSaerial, adjectiveaero-, prefixaerobatics, nounaerodrome, nounaeronautics, nounairborne, adjectiveaircraft, nounaircrew, nounairfare, nounairfield, nounairline, nounairliner, nounair pocket, nounairport, nounairship, nounairsick, adjectiveairspace, nounairspeed, nounairstrip, nounair terminal, nounair traffic controller, nounairway, nounairworthy, adjectivealtimeter, nounapron, nounautomatic pilot, nounautopilot, nounaviation, nounaviator, nounballast, nounballoon, nounballooning, nounbank, verbbarrage balloon, nounbiplane, nounblack box, nounblimp, nounboarding card, nounboarding pass, nounbulkhead, nounbusiness class, nounbuzz, verbcabin, nouncaptain, nouncarousel, nounceiling, nouncharter flight, nouncheck-in, nounchock, nounchopper, nounchute, nounclub class, nouncontrail, nouncontrol tower, nounco-pilot, nouncowling, nouncraft, nouncrash landing, noundeparture lounge, noundepartures board, noundirigible, noundisembark, verbdive, verbeconomy class, nouneject, verbejector seat, nounfin, nounflap, nounflier, nounflight, nounflight attendant, nounflight deck, nounflight path, nounflight recorder, nounflight simulator, nounfly, verbflyby, nounflyer, nounflying, nounflypast, nounfree fall, nounfuselage, noungate, nounglider, noungliding, noungondola, nounground, verbground control, nounground crew, nounground staff, nounhangar, nounhang-glider, nounhang-gliding, nounhelicopter, nounhelicopter pad, nounheliport, nounhijacking, nounholding pattern, nounhot-air balloon, nounhydroplane, nouninbound, adjectivein-flight, adjectiveinstrument panel, nounjet, nounjet engine, nounjet-propelled, adjectivejet propulsion, nounjoystick, nounjumbo jet, nounjump jet, nounland, verblanding gear, nounlanding strip, nounlayover, nounlift, nounlight aircraft, nounlounge, nounlow-flying, adjectivemicrolight, nounmonoplane, nounnavigation, nounno-fly zone, nounnose, nounnosedive, nounnosedive, verboverfly, verbparachute, nounparachute, verbparachutist, nounpilot, nounpilot, verbpitch, nounpitch, verbplane, nounplot, verbpod, nounpressurized, adjectiveprop, nounpropeller, nounradio beacon, nounrefuel, verbripcord, nounroll, verbroll, nounrotor, nounrudder, nounrunway, nounseaplane, nounseat belt, nounshort-haul, adjectiveski plane, nounskycap, nounsonic boom, nounspoiler, nounsteward, nounstewardess, nounstrut, nounswept-back, adjectiveswoop, verbtail, nountailspin, nountake-off, nountaxi, verbterminal, nountest pilot, nounthrust, nountouchdown, nountransit lounge, nountransport plane, nounturbojet, nounturboprop, nountwin-engined, adjectiveundercarriage, nounupgrade, verbvapour trail, nounwheel, verbwindsock, nounwind tunnel, nounwing, nounwingspan, nounwingtip, nounzeppelin, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
William hit Jack on the head and sent his glasses flying. The ball bounced off the wall and went flying into the garden next door. The government ordered that all flags should be flown at half mast (=halfway down the pole, in order to express public sadness at someone’s death). ‘Is it midnight already?’ ‘Well, you know what they say – time flies when you’re having fun!’ News is that the plan for the new hotel isn’t going to fly.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We’re flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet. Jess came flying round the corner and banged straight into me. She was hit by flying debris from the blast. Garry answered the door only to be knocked flying as two policemen came rushing in. He threw a stick into the river and the dog went after it in a flying leap. The bar door flew open and a noisy group burst in. She passed with flying colours (=got very high marks). The sparks were really flying (=people were arguing angrily) at the meeting!
William hit Jack on the head and sent his glasses flying. The ball bounced off the wall and went flying into the garden next door. The government ordered that all flags should be flown at half mast (=halfway down the pole, in order to express public sadness at someone’s death). ‘Is it midnight already?’ ‘Well, you know what they say – time flies when you’re having fun!’ News is that the plan for the new hotel isn’t going to fly. We’re flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet.· The ball flew over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net.
· Some birds fly incredible distances.
(=moves fast)· Bullets were flying around our heads.
Jess came flying round the corner and banged straight into me. She was hit by flying debris from the blast. (=opens very suddenly and quickly)· Then the door burst open and two men with guns came in.
(=a flag is shown on a pole) Flags were flying at half-mast because of the death of the Premier.
Flags were flying at half-mast because of the death of the Premier.· Toads mainly eat small dark flying insects.
· Insects were flying around the food on the counter.
Garry answered the door only to be knocked flying as two policemen came rushing in. He threw a stick into the river and the dog went after it in a flying leap. The bar door flew open and a noisy group burst in. She passed with flying colours (=got very high marks).· Several planes flew overhead.
· I admire the guys who flew those planes.
(=are talked about by a lot of people)· There were wild rumours flying around the office on Wednesday.
The sparks were really flying (=people were arguing angrily) at the meeting! (=a very good start)· The appeal got off to a flying start at the weekend when the group held a raffle.
(=suddenly become very angry)· He flew into a temper at the slightest thing.
British English (=a very short visit)· Timpson was due to pay a flying visit to London.
(=an area that aircraft are not allowed to fly in)· the no-fly zone over Iraq
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Miranda found herself flying through the air.· Now he was lord of the air, flying wherever he would, envied of all.· Do not think that a command-and-control vehicle in the air was just a flying radio.· In Air Sugihan rumours flew that the settlers were to be shifted so that the elephants could be left in peace.
· The remaining seven aircraft were flown back to Prestwick for re-allotment.· The page also will list the types of aircraft each airline flies.· But witnesses in a nearby aircraft said the plane flew directly into the swamp.· Undamaged, the aircraft was later flown from the field direct to Renfrew by F/O Pickard.· Even aircraft are forbidden from flying closer than two and a half miles from the Gap.· Outraged residents protested last night over the decision to allow the crippled aircraft to fly over their homes.· Leaned, that aircraft will fly 116 miles on the same fuel which takes it only 100 miles in rich.
· A black metal ball flew from his right hand.· Striking the ball was a total physical pleasure, and the ball flew, bounced, and rolled some 220 yards.· There was a nasty moment before the ball flew over the three bunkers that block the fairway.· The ball flew fantastically well in the air of that glen and sat invitingly on its lively turf.· The ball flew towards the travellers, and one of the street urchins collided with the Doctor.· He blew his nose and sent the ball of tissue flying into the dark.· The ball flew high and wide of Judy and over the high wire fence behind her.· Aldridge, however, signalled a no-ball, ruling that the ball flew above the permitted height under the series rules.
· You then bring your hands down and show that the birds have flown.· Sometimes the hawk will begin to circle or glide and a smaller bird will fly directly beneath him.· The sky had darkened, clouds had gathered, and birds were returning, flying in belatedly to feed their chicks.· I was with her one day when a bird flew into her house.· I saw birds fly across, pigeons, I think.· The birds flew up noisily, circled, and then they came down and settled in another tree not far away.· Fairly large, long-necked, long-legged wading birds, habitually flying with neck outstretched: a useful distinction from herons.
· Then the door of the laboratory flew open.· Not those nosy Klubocks, she thought, turning to see the back door fly open.· Martin and Mihal, gazing from the mountain-top, saw the door fly open.· He saw both truck doors fly open and the humans jumped out just as Jekub -.· The back door flew open and Norm rushed in, pulling off his filthy shirt.· A moment later the sounds of the storm were magnified suddenly in the hut as the door at one end flew open.· When I pedal-turned the tail away from the flames, my door flew open.
· The decades since Malthus's time have seen progress of a kind that flies in the face of everything he foresaw.· But strong biological determinism flies in the face of experience.· I find this hard to believe since it flies in the face of all the principles of wrestling.· Neill triumphantly flies in the face of a long line of buffoon kings on film.· Anita Roddick has made a virtue of flying in the face of business convention.· Whatever the riddle is called, it flies in the face of 3, 000 years of logical philosophy.· It flies in the face of commitments made at the Earth Summit to reduce consumption.· That concept is irrational and unworkable because it flies in the face of everything we know about human nature.
· A smaller, lower battle flag will fly in front of the capitol, beside a monument to slain Confederate soldiers.· He is expected eventually to rule that the Union flag must fly, and he called the row unnecessary.· There are no white flags flying outside the former Santa Rosa.· Now I am passing an area where the crescent moon flag flies over shops, bakeries and mosques.· Watch out for his flag being flown from the church towers on this day.· The flags were flying at half-mast.· Don't enter the firing ranges when the red flags are flying - usually from prominent places such as hilltops.
· James Carney may have been hurled from a flying helicopter.· She was flown to hospital by helicopter in a coma but died of multiple skull fractures.· You either patrolled an area close by or you were flown by helicopter to the more remote places.· At roundup time, Mercer teams with his oldest son, Gary, who flies a helicopter.· She was flown by helicopter to hospital in Orlando.· Maybe I ought to fly my helicopter up there and find out.
· All of these generalisations depend of course on a constant wind speed sufficient to fly the kite within its designed wind window.· We explored dry creek beds, burned mesquite wood for campfires, flew kites, and swam in lakes.· Let's fly a kite or blow some bubbles up into the sky.· Baldwin merely intended to fly a policy kite at Plymouth.· In 1986, Kent cigarettes launched an ad campaign which depicted two people flying a kite on a page.· This he duly did while Eric and I were out flying kites.· The Government flies these kites of disinformation then people feel grateful when they don't happen.
· His soul would have no repose and would hover over the place, flying through the night.· They were gone and they had left me alone with whatever was flying the night sky.· They often flew through the night without the benefit of fighter escort.· We flew at night with a minigun set up on the doors of the aircraft and a starlight scope.· This is useful if you fly by night or live in murky waters.· The summer Kim turned sixteen, they flew every night his father was home.· Often flies by night, and hovers for insects in dusk.· Any minute I expected the poor little madman to go flying in the night, dead.
· She became a pilot and now flies jumbo jets between Bali, Hawaii and Los Angeles.· One pilot flew Dade County commissioners over the crash site, another pilot said.· A helicopter pilot has to fly to a point 200 kilometres due East.· Marine pilots flew their big H-34s off the rolling deck of their carrier to the hazy coastline and then returned.· The pilot was flying the aircraft fairly close to the ground and was using road signs to help determine his location.· Aspiring pilots get to fly seven Imperial fighters, each with its own characteristics.· This is very noticeable with experienced pilots flying into cloud without the help of the instruments.· But recently, Brothers' pilots have flown over Havana, dropping leaflets urging protests of the Castro regime.
· The unarmed plane flew very fast and very high.· While a second airframe shell was built as a back-up, it was destroyed after the plane stopped flying.· Other aircrew who died in the crash were ... In Lyneham, the transport planes were flying again today.· The disclosure came in response to reporters' questions about why the planes were not flying.· Looking out of the window, Branson saw flames streaming momentarily from an engine; then the plane righted itself and flew on.· He looked up at the sky and heard the rumble of planes flying above the cottony blanket of sky.
· Mitch was going to fly into a rage.· Whenever Stewart showed signs of rejecting that outlook, Joe would fly into a rage.· Maclean immediately flew into a rage.· He flew into a rage with him and brained him with his lute.· The Collector had flown into a rage.· I flew into a rage and quit.· He gambled and drank, and she had to humour him always to prevent him from flying into rages ....· Caledor flew into a towering rage and dismissed their fears as groundless.
· They've a revolutionary scoreboard for the fans and on the pitch soccer to set the sparks flying.· Over the past few weeks they'd been rubbing along fairly civilly, though not without the occasional spark flying between them.· There would be blue sparks flying.· The last person to use it saw sparks fly.· Nothing Less likely to start sparks flying Than a burnt-out flame.· All clear: sparks fly along the nerve wires, pins and needles and it's over.· A spark flew, igniting the gaseous oxygen in the tank.· Stirring the embers with a stick sent sparks flying, echoes of the vast starry night.
VERB· The strange and difficult was becoming second nature in the way that it had when I'd learned to fly.· After learning to fly she took a job as a pilot with a small commuter airline based in Humberside.· He learned to fly, naturally, on seaplanes.· It would have been like stamping on a little bird you watch learning to fly.· She let her daughter learn to fly and try to become the youngest child to fly cross-country.· At best this will always be a compromise-which explains why this is one of the most difficult aspects of learning to fly.· If you made it through that initiation, you got to the flight line and actually began to learn to fly.
· At playtime she opened the tin and let the cockroach fly into my blouse.· With computers you can write quickly, letting your fingers fly from key to key.· Quench me quick and clean: let the ashes fly lightly where they will; no plaques.· The slicks slowed from 100 knots to about 80 to let the gunships fly ahead.· Alternatively, let him fly high to act as a aerial patrol to intercept an enemy trying the same thing.· There are many ways to engage in a productive argument, and letting it fly is certainly one of them.· So we dismantled the screen over the window and let them fly around the back of the barn.· Away with me! Let us fly these deadly waters!
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► fly the nest► rumours/accusations etc are flying► fly by the seat of your pantsPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► the bird has flown► be bitten by the showbiz/travel/flying etc bug► keep the flag flying► fly into a passion► pigs might fly► fly/slip under somebody's/the radar► send somebody/something flying/sprawling/reeling etc
1travel by plane [intransitive] to travel by plane: - As a scheduled operator, Virgin must fly its 400-seat jumbos even if there are only a handful of passengers on board.
- He is expected eventually to rule that the Union flag must fly, and he called the row unnecessary.
- If Jerba was picturesque, Nefta is magical and I regret that I must fly home in a week.
- Second, it must fly swiftly away from the nest and alight some distance from it.
- To keep your pilot's licence you must fly 5 hours each year minimum.
- What is more, it is able to tell others what direction they must fly in order to get food themselves.
- With me on his back he must fly down to the Gruncher.
- And take it down: Hotel is told it can't fly the flag.
- Elsewhere, Orrell are flying the flag for top flight northern rugby in their own, inimitable style.
- That power can be exercised only with regard to vessels flying the flag of the member state concerned or registered there.
- The hotel has been ordered to apply for approval to fly the flag, or take it down.
- The monk is alleged to have flown the flag from the roof of the monastery.
- "Hasn't the afternoon passed quickly?" said Carol. "Time flies when you're having fun."
- Is it 5:30 already? Boy, time sure flies!
- Is Richard eight already? Doesn't time fly?
- Dearest Jeanette How time flies especially when one is meant to be writing lots of letters.
- There are so many diversions here that the time flies by on wings.
- Think how time flies in periods of intense, purposeful activity.
- He flew into a rage with him and brained him with his lute.
- I flew into a rage and quit.
- I was made to feel like a petulant child who has flown into a temper because his favorite toy was removed.
- Maclean immediately flew into a rage.
- Mary's natural tendency to fly into a temper probably did not increase their chances very much.
- Mitch was going to fly into a rage.
- The Collector had flown into a rage.
- Whenever Stewart showed signs of rejecting that outlook, Joe would fly into a rage.
- Linda called me back and apologized for flying off the handle.
- He just flew off the handle.
- If last night hadn't happened, would she still have flown off the handle, sooner or later ...?
- Lila flew off the handle and she realizes that.
- Some people always fly off the handle, and often their anger is totally out of proportion to the problem in hand.
- And there all the time, a line of kneeling archers, letting fly from behind their ranked shields.
- He located running back John Fuqua 20 yards downfield and let fly.
- If the threat still persists, he will let fly with one or both hindlegs.
- It seems that the Battler and Rico let fly at somebody who was coming out of the back door of the Regal Arms.
- Kimberley let fly at the dangling men from a hopeless range.
- Sit it on a hill and wait till the enemy is within half range and then let fly.
- The Bashers tightened lips, hunched shoulders, and let fly.
- You have only to come close enough to my hide and I let fly.
- Eysenck's claim flies in the face of all the evidence.
- Anita Roddick has made a virtue of flying in the face of business convention.
- Award-winning entertainment that flies in the face of gravity lands in Tucson for two nights only.
- But strong biological determinism flies in the face of experience.
- I find this hard to believe since it flies in the face of all the principles of wrestling.
- It flies in the face of commitments made at the Earth Summit to reduce consumption.
- Neill triumphantly flies in the face of a long line of buffoon kings on film.
- This flies in the face of the cautious nature of the Bush administration.
- Whatever the riddle is called, it flies in the face of 3, 000 years of logical philosophy.
- The Rams are flying high after winning the Super Bowl.
- He was now on to the mid-irons and these were flying high and true.
- I was always happy to be flying high.
- Like the other Salomon executives, Massey was flying high in 1985 on the back of a series of record earning quarters.
- And, let's go fly a kite.
- In 1986, Kent cigarettes launched an ad campaign which depicted two people flying a kite on a page.
- Let's fly a kite or blow some bubbles up into the sky.
- This he duly did while Eric and I were out flying kites.
- We explored dry creek beds, burned mesquite wood for campfires, flew kites, and swam in lakes.
- And, let's go fly a kite.
- All my children have flown the coop now.
- Plus it discourages funds that have already flown the coop from changing course and heading home again.
- The Tomahawk cruise missile, born in 1972 and built here ever since, has flown the coop.
- Then Deutschlandsender made their announcement yesterday that Hess had flown the coop and I think that clinched it for them.
- My house is ten miles from here as the crow flies.
- The distance between the two towns is only 10 kilometres as the crow flies, but it can take up to 2 hours along the narrow coastal road.
- Similarly a stone's throw, as the crow flies, etc.
- The course should be five and a half miles as the crow flies.
- The distance between Avonmouth, near Bristol, and Poole in Dorset is only 65 miles as the crow flies.
- Players from both teams are dropping like flies.
- Grocer profits While other retailers are dropping like flies, supermarkets are making fat profits.
- Our kids are dropping like flies.
- They should be dropping like flies, but that hasn't been the case.
- When Marcia found out where Keith was all night, that's when the fur really started to fly.
- Any minute I expected the poor little madman to go flying in the night, dead.
- Bodies not strapped in by seat belts go flying.
- But shouldn't you try and find out some more about him before you go rushing off?
- It tripped on a book and almost went flying, but it just succeeded in remaining upright.
- So why had she gone rushing north from Lima to see this half-brother of hers?
- Spit went flying, seen by millions.
- The doll and blanket went flying, bounced off the far end of the block, and fell into the make-believe river.
- The next member of the team took his place at the stumps only to see both bails go flying.
- And, let's go fly a kite.
- In 1986, Kent cigarettes launched an ad campaign which depicted two people flying a kite on a page.
- Let's fly a kite or blow some bubbles up into the sky.
- This he duly did while Eric and I were out flying kites.
- We explored dry creek beds, burned mesquite wood for campfires, flew kites, and swam in lakes.
- After about three weeks, the young cuckoo is ready to leave the nest.
- Barn owls leave the nest at two to three months and are sexually mature at one year.
- If, however, the host appears reluctant to leave the nest, the cuckoo has a more direct approach.
- It is so rarely when all the fledglings have left the nest, to have them all together again.
- Once deposited, she leaves the nest and he immediately fertilizes the eggs.
- She usually builds on the shores of an estuary and there she sits devotedly, seldom leaving the nest.
- Unfortunately for her, the host bird showed no inclination to leave the nest.
- When the host leaves the nest, the cuckoo makes its approach in a long, silent hawk-like glide.
- Dearest Jeanette How time flies especially when one is meant to be writing lots of letters.
- There are so many diversions here that the time flies by on wings.
- Think how time flies in periods of intense, purposeful activity.
She’s flying back to the States tomorrow. Will you take the train there or fly? Maurice is nervous about flying, so he usually travels overland.fly to The prime minister will be flying to Delhi later today for a three-day visit.fly from/out of/in etc He was arrested at Heathrow after flying from Brussels airport. Lewis stopped off in Jamaica before flying on to Toronto.2move through the air [intransitive] if a plane, spacecraft etc flies, it moves through the air: The plane was attacked as it flew over restricted airspace.3control a plane [intransitive, transitive] to be at the controls of a plane and direct it as it flies: She was the first woman to fly Concorde. The pilot was instructed to fly the plane to Montreal airport. Sonny learnt to fly when he was 15.4send somebody/something by plane [transitive] to take goods or people somewhere by plane: The injured boy was flown by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital.fly something into/out of etc something US planes have been flying food and medical supplies into the area.► see thesaurus at take5use air company/service [intransitive, transitive] to use a particular airline or use a particular type of ticket when you travel by plane: We usually fly economy class. Millions of passengers fly British Airways every year.6cross sea by plane [transitive] to cross a particular ocean or area of sea in a plane: Who was the first person to fly the Atlantic?7birds/insects [intransitive] to move through the air using wings: The mother bird will feed her chicks until they are able to fly. The evening air was clouded with mosquitoes and other flying insects.fly away/off/in etc At that moment, a wasp flew in through the open window. The robin shook its feathers and flew away.8move somewhere quickly [intransitive] a)to move somewhere quickly and suddenlyfly down/across/out of etc Ellen flew across the room and greeted her uncle with a kiss. Rachel’s hand flew to her mouth.fly open/shut The door flew open and a child rushed out. b)to move quickly and suddenly through the air: There was a loud explosion, and suddenly there was glass flying everywhere. William hit Jack on the head and sent his glasses flying. The ball bounced off the wall and went flying into the garden next door.9kite [transitive] to make a kite fly in the air: In the park people were walking their dogs or flying their kites.10(I) must fly spoken used to say that you must leave quickly11move freely [intransitive] to move freely and loosely in the air: Harriet ran after him, her hair flying behind her.12flag [intransitive, transitive] if a flag flies, or if you fly it, it is fixed to the top of a tall pole so that it can be easily seen: After the invasion, people were forbidden to fly their national flag. The flags were flying cheerfully in the breeze. The government ordered that all flags should be flown at half mast (=halfway down the pole, in order to express public sadness at someone’s death).13 fly the flag to behave in a way that shows that you are proud of your country, organization etc14time flies (also the hours/the days etc fly) used to say that a period of time seems to pass very quickly: ‘Is it midnight already?’ ‘Well, you know what they say – time flies when you’re having fun!’fly by The following weeks flew by, and soon it was time to leave.15fly into a rage/temper/panic etc to suddenly get extremely angry, extremely worried etc: Rebecca flew into a rage when she realized no-one had been listening to her.16fly off the handle informal to suddenly get very angry: Calm down – there’s no need to fly off the handle.17let fly (something) a)to suddenly start shouting angrily at someone SYN let loose: The prisoner let fly with a torrent of abuse. b)to suddenly attack someone, especially with bullets or a weapon that is thrownfly with The soldiers let fly with a hail of machine-gun fire.18fly in the face of something to be the opposite of what most people think is reasonable, sensible, or normal: He likes to fly in the face of convention.19escape [transitive] formal to leave somewhere in order to escape SYN flee: By the time the police arrived, the men had flown.20be flying high to be having a lot of success: The architectural firm has been flying high recently.21fly the nest a)if a young bird flies the nest, it has grown old enough to look after itself and is no longer dependent on its parents b)if a young person flies the nest, he or she moves out of their parents’ home in order to live independently: Now that the kids have flown the nest, I’m thinking about taking a job abroad.22plan [intransitive] American English a plan that will fly will be successful and useful: News is that the plan for the new hotel isn’t going to fly.23fly a kite to tell people about an idea, plan etc in order to get their opinion: In my latest book, I wanted to fly the kite for an unfashionable theory. → kite-flying(2)24 go fly a kite American English spoken used to tell someone to go away, stop saying something, or stop annoying you25rumours/accusations etc are flying when a lot of people are talking about something, saying someone has done something wrong etc: Rumours were flying as to how the fire started.26fly the coop American English informal to leave or escape: All my children have flown the coop now.27fly by the seat of your pants informal to have to deal with a situation by guessing what to do, because you know very little about it SYN wing it: Sometimes you’ll get back and find that things have changed, so you’ll be flying by the seat of your pants for a while. → the bird has flown at bird(8), → as the crow flies at crow1(3), → sparks fly at spark1(6)GRAMMARFly belongs to a group of verbs where the same noun can be the subject of the verb or its object.• You can say: · He flew the plane across the desert. In this sentence, ‘the plane’ is the object of fly.• You can say: · The plane flew across the desert. In this sentence, ‘the plane’ is the subject of fly.Grammar guide ‒ VERBSfly at somebody (also fly into somebody) American English phrasal verb to suddenly rush towards someone and try to hit them because you are very angry with themfly1 verbfly2 nounfly3 verbfly4 adjective
flyfly2 ●●● S3 W3 noun (plural flies) [countable] WORD ORIGINfly3
Origin:
1, 3-7, 9 Old English fleoge2, 8, 10 1800-1900 ➔ FLY1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- The flies were swarming around the garbage cans.
- Your fly is unzipped.
- Real fishermen know how to tie flies and cast them so that they dance over the water.
- The sun was very bright; flies and insects buzzed on the littered veranda.
- Their heads were the size of flies and moved to and fro as they presumably spoke to one another.
- There are three ground pegging points at each bellend and one on either side of the fly.
- There might be bees, but there are clearly no flies on old Mel.
- There was a moment of indecisive silence, then rising voices, then the flies again.
WORD SETS
balk, verbball game, nounball park, nounballplayer, nounbase, nounbaseline, nounbat, verbbatter, nounblooper, nounbreak, nounbull pen, nounbunt, verbcatch, verbcatcher, nouncentre, noundesignated hitter, noundiamond, noundouble, noundouble, verbdouble-header, noundouble play, nounfastball, nounfirst base, nounfly, verbfly, nounfly ball, nounfoul, verbgrand slam, noungrounder, nounheavy hitter, nounhome base, nounhome plate, nounhomer, nounhome run, nouninfield, nouninning, nounmidfielder, nounmitt, nounmound, nounpark, nounpinch-hit, verbpitch, nounpitch, verbpitcher, nounpitchout, nounplate, nounpop fly, nounrebound, verbrebound, nounrun, nounshortstop, nounshut-out, nounsingle, nounslam dunk, nounslugger, nounspring training, nounsteal, verbstrikeout, nountriple, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We’re flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet. Jess came flying round the corner and banged straight into me. She was hit by flying debris from the blast. Garry answered the door only to be knocked flying as two policemen came rushing in. He threw a stick into the river and the dog went after it in a flying leap. The bar door flew open and a noisy group burst in. She passed with flying colours (=got very high marks). The sparks were really flying (=people were arguing angrily) at the meeting!
We’re flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet.· The ball flew over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net.
· Some birds fly incredible distances.
(=moves fast)· Bullets were flying around our heads.
Jess came flying round the corner and banged straight into me. She was hit by flying debris from the blast. (=opens very suddenly and quickly)· Then the door burst open and two men with guns came in.
(=a flag is shown on a pole) Flags were flying at half-mast because of the death of the Premier.
Flags were flying at half-mast because of the death of the Premier.· Toads mainly eat small dark flying insects.
· Insects were flying around the food on the counter.
Garry answered the door only to be knocked flying as two policemen came rushing in. He threw a stick into the river and the dog went after it in a flying leap. The bar door flew open and a noisy group burst in. She passed with flying colours (=got very high marks).· Several planes flew overhead.
· I admire the guys who flew those planes.
(=are talked about by a lot of people)· There were wild rumours flying around the office on Wednesday.
The sparks were really flying (=people were arguing angrily) at the meeting! (=a very good start)· The appeal got off to a flying start at the weekend when the group held a raffle.
(=suddenly become very angry)· He flew into a temper at the slightest thing.
British English (=a very short visit)· Timpson was due to pay a flying visit to London.
(=an area that aircraft are not allowed to fly in)· the no-fly zone over Iraq
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· The air is stale and acrid, and a cluster of black flies hovers over the bed.· They gazed at him with blue- black fly filled eyes, and a small glimmer of happiness grew on their faces.· A fat black fly was buzzing against the windowpane.· Heat waves dazzled off the chugging hood of the truck and fat black flies clung to its warm, splattered sides.
NOUN· A brown and white female appeared with a crane fly in her beak.
· Worms and fruit flies, too, have had all their units read off.· The drug tests have been done so far only in fruit flies.· A search through their genes reveals a set almost identical to those that help make the wing of a fruit fly.· Then make sure you cover it, because those citrus pieces will attract fruit flies.· Mutation could once be studied only in bacteria or in fruit flies.· The only problem with the Clivus to date has been an outbreak of fruit flies inside the tank.· Rotting guavas and fruit flies that hover around them are also prevalent on the ridge route.
· The female tsetse fly retains her young for even longer.· This transformed trypanosome line, ST3, was then transmitted through tsetse flies and the resulting bloodstream forms cloned in mice.
VERB· An unkempt coat will provide a refuge for parasites, and if soiled with faecal matter is likely to attract flies.· Then make sure you cover it, because those citrus pieces will attract fruit flies.· The reconditioned air attracts the flies so we wander round like lost nomads thinking about the next meal.
· These microscopic biting flies would dry and shrivel in minutes out in the sun.
· The reason is that where you get cobwebs, you get spiders - and spiders catch flies!
· Then Souness comes and they drop like flies for two seasons running!· Our kids are dropping like flies.· They should be dropping like flies, but that hasn't been the case.
· He wouldn't hurt a fly.· You couldn't hurt a fly with that thing.
· It consists of a plastic bin with a lockable lid that will keep out flies, children and so on.· Then, of course, he had a cover for keeping the flies off.· The safe being a large cabinet with a fine wire-mesh door to keep flies off fresh food.· The floor was of beaten earth, the walls washed white with lime to keep off the flies.· To keep the flies away, crush garlic cloves in boiling water, allow to cool and then sponge over horse.· She consoled herself with the thought that the acrid smoke would serve to keep flies out of the room.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► there are no flies on somebody► somebody wouldn’t hurt/harm a flyPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► the bird has flown► be bitten by the showbiz/travel/flying etc bug► keep the flag flying► fly into a passion► pigs might fly► fly/slip under somebody's/the radar► send somebody/something flying/sprawling/reeling etc
1insect a small flying insect with two wings: - I wish I'd been a fly on the wall during that conversation.
- I wished I could be a fly on the wall.
- Oh, wouldn't I like to be a fly on the wall when you tell her the latest!
- You should be a fly on the wall and hear him sing your praises.
- Sometimes you have to make decisions on the fly.
- Java applets are capable of handling a wide variety of graphic formats as well as creating graphics on the fly.
- Lee Ann took all her clothes off and lay down to sun herself on the flying bridge.
- Some one more determined could probably find some flat back-road routes, but doing it on the fly proved beyond us.
- Some systems still rely on a batch pagination method while others, like Interleaf, do the whole thing on the fly.
- Taco Bell: The burritos and fajitas are among the easiest foods to eat on the fly.
- The run-time code is loaded on to a real processor and translated on the fly into the chip's native instruction set.
- This root is then stored and may be accessed in the lexicon at run-time rather than determined on the fly.
- This time, I got it there on the fly.
- Grocer profits While other retailers are dropping like flies, supermarkets are making fat profits.
- Our kids are dropping like flies.
- The men were dying like flies, of fever.
- They should be dropping like flies, but that hasn't been the case.
- There had to be a snag, of course, a fly in the ointment.
- My house is ten miles from here as the crow flies.
- The distance between the two towns is only 10 kilometres as the crow flies, but it can take up to 2 hours along the narrow coastal road.
- Similarly a stone's throw, as the crow flies, etc.
- The course should be five and a half miles as the crow flies.
- The distance between Avonmouth, near Bristol, and Poole in Dorset is only 65 miles as the crow flies.
- Players from both teams are dropping like flies.
- Grocer profits While other retailers are dropping like flies, supermarkets are making fat profits.
- Our kids are dropping like flies.
- They should be dropping like flies, but that hasn't been the case.
- When Marcia found out where Keith was all night, that's when the fur really started to fly.
- Any minute I expected the poor little madman to go flying in the night, dead.
- Bodies not strapped in by seat belts go flying.
- But shouldn't you try and find out some more about him before you go rushing off?
- It tripped on a book and almost went flying, but it just succeeded in remaining upright.
- So why had she gone rushing north from Lima to see this half-brother of hers?
- Spit went flying, seen by millions.
- The doll and blanket went flying, bounced off the far end of the block, and fell into the make-believe river.
- The next member of the team took his place at the stumps only to see both bails go flying.
- And, let's go fly a kite.
- In 1986, Kent cigarettes launched an ad campaign which depicted two people flying a kite on a page.
- Let's fly a kite or blow some bubbles up into the sky.
- This he duly did while Eric and I were out flying kites.
- We explored dry creek beds, burned mesquite wood for campfires, flew kites, and swam in lakes.
- After about three weeks, the young cuckoo is ready to leave the nest.
- Barn owls leave the nest at two to three months and are sexually mature at one year.
- If, however, the host appears reluctant to leave the nest, the cuckoo has a more direct approach.
- It is so rarely when all the fledglings have left the nest, to have them all together again.
- Once deposited, she leaves the nest and he immediately fertilizes the eggs.
- She usually builds on the shores of an estuary and there she sits devotedly, seldom leaving the nest.
- Unfortunately for her, the host bird showed no inclination to leave the nest.
- When the host leaves the nest, the cuckoo makes its approach in a long, silent hawk-like glide.
- Dearest Jeanette How time flies especially when one is meant to be writing lots of letters.
- There are so many diversions here that the time flies by on wings.
- Think how time flies in periods of intense, purposeful activity.
There were flies buzzing all around us.2trousers especially American English (also flies [plural] British English) the part at the front of a pair of trousers which you can open: He quickly did up his fly. Your flies are undone.3somebody wouldn’t hurt/harm a fly informal used to say that someone is very gentle and is not likely to hurt anyone4be dying/dropping etc like flies informal used to say that a lot of people are dying or becoming ill5a fly in the ointment informal the only thing that spoils something and prevents it from being successful: The only fly in the ointment was Jacky.6 be a fly on the wall to be able to watch what happens without other people knowing that you are there: I wish I’d been a fly on the wall during that conversation. → fly-on-the-wall7there are no flies on somebody British English spoken used to say that someone is not stupid and cannot be tricked8on the fly a)technical while a computer program is actually running: The code is translated on the fly. b)while dealing with a situation, rather than before dealing with it: So far, policy is being made on the fly.9fishing a hook that is made to look like a fly and is used for catching fish10baseball a fly ballfly1 verbfly2 nounfly3 verbfly4 adjective
flyfly3 verb (past tense and past participle flied, present participle flying, third person singular flies) [intransitive] VERB TABLE
fly
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | fly |
| he, she, it | flies | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | flew |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have flown |
| he, she, it | has flown | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had flown |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will fly |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have flown |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am flying |
| he, she, it | is flying | |
| you, we, they | are flying | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was flying |
| you, we, they | were flying | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been flying |
| he, she, it | has been flying | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been flying |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be flying |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been flying |
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- A revenue passenger mile is one paying passenger flown one mile.
- By the end of the year he had converted to twin-engined fighters, joining 252 Squadron to fly Blenheim IVFs and Beaufighters.
- Her fa-ther stood up, and the magpie, delighted, flew round and round with a marvelous clatter.
- Her heart broke and her soul flew to heaven.
- I managed to roll clear just as it flew off into the air, never to be seen again.
- Stop flying before it becomes too windy to move or fly the glider.
- The number of training sorties flown by its pilots had dropped 7. 8 percent a year for nearly a decade.
- This is when the pilots who have been hibernating during the winter months get their gliders out and start flying again.
WORD SETS
balk, verbball game, nounball park, nounballplayer, nounbase, nounbaseline, nounbat, verbbatter, nounblooper, nounbreak, nounbull pen, nounbunt, verbcatch, verbcatcher, nouncentre, noundesignated hitter, noundiamond, noundouble, noundouble, verbdouble-header, noundouble play, nounfastball, nounfirst base, nounfly, verbfly, nounfly ball, nounfoul, verbgrand slam, noungrounder, nounheavy hitter, nounhome base, nounhome plate, nounhomer, nounhome run, nouninfield, nouninning, nounmidfielder, nounmitt, nounmound, nounpark, nounpinch-hit, verbpitch, nounpitch, verbpitcher, nounpitchout, nounplate, nounpop fly, nounrebound, verbrebound, nounrun, nounshortstop, nounshut-out, nounsingle, nounslam dunk, nounslugger, nounspring training, nounsteal, verbstrikeout, nountriple, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We’re flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet. Jess came flying round the corner and banged straight into me. She was hit by flying debris from the blast. Garry answered the door only to be knocked flying as two policemen came rushing in. He threw a stick into the river and the dog went after it in a flying leap. The bar door flew open and a noisy group burst in. She passed with flying colours (=got very high marks). The sparks were really flying (=people were arguing angrily) at the meeting!
We’re flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet.· The ball flew over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net.
· Some birds fly incredible distances.
(=moves fast)· Bullets were flying around our heads.
Jess came flying round the corner and banged straight into me. She was hit by flying debris from the blast. (=opens very suddenly and quickly)· Then the door burst open and two men with guns came in.
(=a flag is shown on a pole) Flags were flying at half-mast because of the death of the Premier.
Flags were flying at half-mast because of the death of the Premier.· Toads mainly eat small dark flying insects.
· Insects were flying around the food on the counter.
Garry answered the door only to be knocked flying as two policemen came rushing in. He threw a stick into the river and the dog went after it in a flying leap. The bar door flew open and a noisy group burst in. She passed with flying colours (=got very high marks).· Several planes flew overhead.
· I admire the guys who flew those planes.
(=are talked about by a lot of people)· There were wild rumours flying around the office on Wednesday.
The sparks were really flying (=people were arguing angrily) at the meeting! (=a very good start)· The appeal got off to a flying start at the weekend when the group held a raffle.
(=suddenly become very angry)· He flew into a temper at the slightest thing.
British English (=a very short visit)· Timpson was due to pay a flying visit to London.
(=an area that aircraft are not allowed to fly in)· the no-fly zone over Iraq
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► the bird has flown► be bitten by the showbiz/travel/flying etc bug► keep the flag flying► fly into a passion► pigs might fly► fly/slip under somebody's/the radar► send somebody/something flying/sprawling/reeling etc
to hit a ball in baseball high into the air- My house is ten miles from here as the crow flies.
- The distance between the two towns is only 10 kilometres as the crow flies, but it can take up to 2 hours along the narrow coastal road.
- Similarly a stone's throw, as the crow flies, etc.
- The course should be five and a half miles as the crow flies.
- The distance between Avonmouth, near Bristol, and Poole in Dorset is only 65 miles as the crow flies.
- Players from both teams are dropping like flies.
- Grocer profits While other retailers are dropping like flies, supermarkets are making fat profits.
- Our kids are dropping like flies.
- They should be dropping like flies, but that hasn't been the case.
- When Marcia found out where Keith was all night, that's when the fur really started to fly.
- Any minute I expected the poor little madman to go flying in the night, dead.
- Bodies not strapped in by seat belts go flying.
- But shouldn't you try and find out some more about him before you go rushing off?
- It tripped on a book and almost went flying, but it just succeeded in remaining upright.
- So why had she gone rushing north from Lima to see this half-brother of hers?
- Spit went flying, seen by millions.
- The doll and blanket went flying, bounced off the far end of the block, and fell into the make-believe river.
- The next member of the team took his place at the stumps only to see both bails go flying.
- And, let's go fly a kite.
- In 1986, Kent cigarettes launched an ad campaign which depicted two people flying a kite on a page.
- Let's fly a kite or blow some bubbles up into the sky.
- This he duly did while Eric and I were out flying kites.
- We explored dry creek beds, burned mesquite wood for campfires, flew kites, and swam in lakes.
- After about three weeks, the young cuckoo is ready to leave the nest.
- Barn owls leave the nest at two to three months and are sexually mature at one year.
- If, however, the host appears reluctant to leave the nest, the cuckoo has a more direct approach.
- It is so rarely when all the fledglings have left the nest, to have them all together again.
- Once deposited, she leaves the nest and he immediately fertilizes the eggs.
- She usually builds on the shores of an estuary and there she sits devotedly, seldom leaving the nest.
- Unfortunately for her, the host bird showed no inclination to leave the nest.
- When the host leaves the nest, the cuckoo makes its approach in a long, silent hawk-like glide.
- Dearest Jeanette How time flies especially when one is meant to be writing lots of letters.
- There are so many diversions here that the time flies by on wings.
- Think how time flies in periods of intense, purposeful activity.
fly1 verbfly2 nounfly3 verbfly4 adjective
flyfly4 adjective WORD ORIGINfly4
Origin:
1800-1900 Probably from ➔ FLY1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Mmm, that Sharlene is one fly girl.
- If you go fly fishing you are normally wanting to catch either trout or salmon.
- Of course you'd expect to find fly ash at any period since people began burning coal in quantity.
- What makes fly fishing different from coarse and sea fishing is the way you cast.
- When fly fishing you only have the fly tied on the line.
- When fly fishing you use an artificially made fly.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We’re flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet. Jess came flying round the corner and banged straight into me. She was hit by flying debris from the blast. Garry answered the door only to be knocked flying as two policemen came rushing in. He threw a stick into the river and the dog went after it in a flying leap. The bar door flew open and a noisy group burst in. She passed with flying colours (=got very high marks). The sparks were really flying (=people were arguing angrily) at the meeting!
We’re flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet.· The ball flew over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net.
· Some birds fly incredible distances.
(=moves fast)· Bullets were flying around our heads.
Jess came flying round the corner and banged straight into me. She was hit by flying debris from the blast. (=opens very suddenly and quickly)· Then the door burst open and two men with guns came in.
(=a flag is shown on a pole) Flags were flying at half-mast because of the death of the Premier.
Flags were flying at half-mast because of the death of the Premier.· Toads mainly eat small dark flying insects.
· Insects were flying around the food on the counter.
Garry answered the door only to be knocked flying as two policemen came rushing in. He threw a stick into the river and the dog went after it in a flying leap. The bar door flew open and a noisy group burst in. She passed with flying colours (=got very high marks).· Several planes flew overhead.
· I admire the guys who flew those planes.
(=are talked about by a lot of people)· There were wild rumours flying around the office on Wednesday.
The sparks were really flying (=people were arguing angrily) at the meeting! (=a very good start)· The appeal got off to a flying start at the weekend when the group held a raffle.
(=suddenly become very angry)· He flew into a temper at the slightest thing.
British English (=a very short visit)· Timpson was due to pay a flying visit to London.
(=an area that aircraft are not allowed to fly in)· the no-fly zone over Iraq
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► the bird has flown► be bitten by the showbiz/travel/flying etc bug► keep the flag flying► fly into a passion► pigs might fly► fly/slip under somebody's/the radar► send somebody/something flying/sprawling/reeling etc
1informal very fashionable and attractive: - My house is ten miles from here as the crow flies.
- The distance between the two towns is only 10 kilometres as the crow flies, but it can take up to 2 hours along the narrow coastal road.
- Similarly a stone's throw, as the crow flies, etc.
- The course should be five and a half miles as the crow flies.
- The distance between Avonmouth, near Bristol, and Poole in Dorset is only 65 miles as the crow flies.
- Players from both teams are dropping like flies.
- Grocer profits While other retailers are dropping like flies, supermarkets are making fat profits.
- Our kids are dropping like flies.
- They should be dropping like flies, but that hasn't been the case.
- When Marcia found out where Keith was all night, that's when the fur really started to fly.
- Any minute I expected the poor little madman to go flying in the night, dead.
- Bodies not strapped in by seat belts go flying.
- But shouldn't you try and find out some more about him before you go rushing off?
- It tripped on a book and almost went flying, but it just succeeded in remaining upright.
- So why had she gone rushing north from Lima to see this half-brother of hers?
- Spit went flying, seen by millions.
- The doll and blanket went flying, bounced off the far end of the block, and fell into the make-believe river.
- The next member of the team took his place at the stumps only to see both bails go flying.
- And, let's go fly a kite.
- In 1986, Kent cigarettes launched an ad campaign which depicted two people flying a kite on a page.
- Let's fly a kite or blow some bubbles up into the sky.
- This he duly did while Eric and I were out flying kites.
- We explored dry creek beds, burned mesquite wood for campfires, flew kites, and swam in lakes.
- After about three weeks, the young cuckoo is ready to leave the nest.
- Barn owls leave the nest at two to three months and are sexually mature at one year.
- If, however, the host appears reluctant to leave the nest, the cuckoo has a more direct approach.
- It is so rarely when all the fledglings have left the nest, to have them all together again.
- Once deposited, she leaves the nest and he immediately fertilizes the eggs.
- She usually builds on the shores of an estuary and there she sits devotedly, seldom leaving the nest.
- Unfortunately for her, the host bird showed no inclination to leave the nest.
- When the host leaves the nest, the cuckoo makes its approach in a long, silent hawk-like glide.
- Dearest Jeanette How time flies especially when one is meant to be writing lots of letters.
- There are so many diversions here that the time flies by on wings.
- Think how time flies in periods of intense, purposeful activity.
Wear something really fly for your Friday date.2British English old-fashioned clever and not easily tricked: He’s a bit of a fly character.