Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense flicks, present participle flicking, past tense, past participle flicked
1. verb
If something flicks in a particular direction, or if someone flicks it, it moves with a short, sudden movement.
His tongue flicked across his lips. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The man's gun flicked up from beside his thigh. [VERB preposition/adverb]
His glance flicked round my face and came to rest on my eyes. [VERB preposition/adverb]
He flicked his cigarette out of the window. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: jerk, pull, tug, lurch More Synonyms of flick
Flick is also a noun.
...a flick of a paintbrush.
2. verb
If you flick something away, or off something else, you remove it with a quick movement of your hand or finger.
Shirley flicked a speck of fluff from the sleeve of her black suit. [V n + from/off]
Alan stretched out his hand and flicked the letter away. [V n + away]
Synonyms: strike, tap, jab, remove quickly More Synonyms of flick
3. verb
If you flick something such as a whip or a towel, or flick something with it, you hold one end of it and move your hand quickly up and then forward, so that the other end moves.
He helped her up before flicking the reins. [VERB noun]
She sighed and flicked a dishcloth at the counter. [VERB noun preposition]
The jockey said he tended to flick horses with the whip. [VERB noun with noun]
Flick is also a noun.
...a flick of the whip.
4. verb
If you flick a switch, or flick an electrical appliance on or off, you press the switch sharply so that it moves into a different position and works the equipment.
He flicked a light-switch on the wall beside the door. [VERB noun]
Sam was flicking a flashlight on and off. [V n with on/off]
Pearle flicked off the TV. [V n with on/off]
5. verb
If you flick through a book or magazine, you turn its pages quickly, for example to get a general idea of its contents or to look for a particular item. If you flick through television channels, you continually change channels very quickly, for example using a remote control.
She was flicking through some magazines on a table. [VERB + through]
I'll just flick through the pages until I find the right section. [VERBthrough noun]
He flicked through the channels in a search for something to hold his interest. [VERBthrough noun]
Flick is also a noun.
I thought I'd have a quick flick through some recent issues. [+ through]
More Synonyms of flick
flick in British English1
(flɪk)
verb
1. (transitive)
to touch with or as if with the finger or hand in a quick jerky movement
2. (transitive)
to propel or remove by a quick jerky movement, usually of the fingers or hand
to flick a piece of paper at someone
3.
to move or cause to move quickly or jerkily
4. (intransitive; foll bythrough)
to read or look at (a book, newspaper, etc) quickly or idly
5.
to snap or click (the fingers) to produce a sharp sound
noun
6.
a tap or quick stroke with the fingers, a whip, etc
7.
the sound made by such a stroke
8.
a fleck, streak, or particle
9. give someone the flick
Word origin
C15: of imitative origin; compare French flicflac
flick in British English2
(flɪk)
noun slang
1.
a cinema film
2. the flicks
flick in American English1
(flɪk)
noun
1.
a light, quick stroke, as with a whip; sudden, jerky movement; snap
2.
a light, snapping sound, as of the flick of a whip
3.
a fleck; splotch; streak
verb transitive
4.
to strike, propel, remove, etc. with a light, quick, snapping stroke, as with the fingernail
5.
to make a light, quick, snapping stroke with (a whip, etc.)
verb intransitive
6.
to move quickly and jerkily; flutter
Word origin
echoic, but infl. by flicker1
flick in American English2
(flɪk)
noun
Slang
a film (sense 5)
Idioms:
the flicks
Word origin
< flicker1
More idioms containing
flick
give someone or something the flick
Examples of 'flick' in a sentence
flick
Thankfully, the angry beast can be unleashed at the flick of a switch.
The Sun (2016)
In fact there were two miserable days in August when my switch was flicked.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She flicked a dismissive hand at a lift and shrugged.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Something in their unconscious has flicked a switch to turn on symptoms that mimic serious illnesses.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You call flicking through a book not being busy?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You can spend ages flicking your finger along and not much happens.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She agreed with a quick flick of the head.
Charles Glass The Tribes Triumphant (2006)
Blend right out to the corner flick gently to blur any hard edges.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Want to know what famous flick was filmed on your doorstep?
The Sun (2009)
But the man reluctantly flicked the switch and then watched spellbound with the rest of us.
David Boyle AUTHENTICITY: Brands, Fakes, Spin and the Lust for Real Life (2003)
March took a last draw on his cigarette and flicked it away.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He held a cigarette in his hand and flicked the ash to his right as we spoke.
Butt, Gerald A Rock and a Hard Place (1994)
So parents solve the problem with a flick of a switch.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Another visual treasure is a flick picture book.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Draw from the corner of your eye up over your socket line and out into a flick at the corner.
The Sun (2013)
The informant made a copy of the flick, which ended up with his son after he died.
The Sun (2008)
A quick flick across the tip of your nose and the problem is sorted.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Where that line hits your eye socket is where the end of the flick will be, so put your dot there.
The Sun (2013)
In other languages
flick
British English: flick VERB
If something flicks in a particular direction, or if someone flicks it, it moves with a short, sudden movement.
His tongue flicked across his lips.
American English: flick
Brazilian Portuguese: estalar
Chinese: 轻快地移动
European Spanish: dar un golpecito a
French: passer rapidement
German: schnellen
Italian: dare un colpetto a
Japanese: ピシッと動かす
Korean: 휙 움직이다
European Portuguese: estalar
Latin American Spanish: dar un golpecito a
All related terms of 'flick'
flick-on
a manoeuvre in which a player receives an incoming pass and flicks it on with a gentle header or kick to another player.
chick flick
A chick flick is a romantic film that is not very serious and is intended to appeal to women.
flick knife
A flick-knife is a knife with a blade in the handle that springs out when a button is pressed.
flick-pass
a movement in which the ball is passed quickly to another player by flicking it out of the hand ; often performed with only one hand
skin flick
a film containing much nudity and explicit sex for sensational purposes
give someone the flick
to dismiss someone from consideration
give someone or something the flick
to reject someone or something or get rid of them
Chinese translation of 'flick'
flick
(flɪk)
vt
(with fingers) 轻(輕)弹(彈) (qīngtán)
[whip, towel]轻(輕)拂 (qīngfú)
[cigarette ash]弹(彈)去 (tánqù)
[switch]拨(撥) (bō)
vi
快而轻(輕)地移动(動) (kuài ér qīng de yídòng)
n(c)
[of finger, hand]轻(輕)拂 (qíngfú)
[of whip]轻(輕)打 (qīngdǎ)
(through book, pages) 快速翻阅(閱) (kuàisù fānyuè)
Derived Forms
the flicksn pl (Brit) (inf) 电(電)影院 (diànyǐngyuàn)
1 (verb)
Definition
to move with a short sudden movement, often repeatedly
The man flicked his gun up from beside his thigh.
Synonyms
jerk
The car jerked to a halt.
pull
I helped pull him out of the water.
tug
A little boy tugged at her sleeve excitedly.
lurch
jolt
The train jolted into motion.
2 (verb)
Definition
to touch or move with the finger or hand in a quick jerky movement
She flicked a speck of fluff from her sleeve.
Synonyms
strike
She was struck by his simple, spellbinding eloquence.
tap
Tap the egg lightly with a teaspoon.
jab
remove quickly
hit
She hit him hard across his left arm.
touch
As the aeroplane came down, the wing touched a pile of rubble.
stroke
rap
A guard raps his stick on a metal hand rail.
flip
I flipped a cigarette butt out of the window.
peck
The crow pecked his hand.
whisk
The dog whisked its tail around in excitement.
dab
dabbing her eyes with a tissue
fillip
3 (verb)
I found some switches and flicked them.
Synonyms
click
Camera shutters clicked all around me.
press
snap
He snapped the cap on his ballpoint.
(noun)
Definition
a tap or quick stroke
a flick of a paintbrush
Synonyms
tap
A tap on the door interrupted him.
touch
Even a light touch on the face can trigger this pain.
sweep
She indicated the garden with a sweep of her hand.
stroke
He was sending the ball into the net with each stroke.
rap
There was a light rap on the door.
flip
having gambled all on the flip of a coin
peck
whisk
With one whisk of its tail, the horse brushed the flies off.
jab
He gave me a jab in the side.
phrasal verb
See flick through something
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dab
Definition
to pat lightly and quickly
dabbing her eyes with a tissue
Synonyms
pat,
press,
touch,
stroke,
tap,
wipe,
mop,
blot,
swab
in the sense of flip
Definition
to throw (something light or small) carelessly
I flipped a cigarette butt out of the window.
Synonyms
toss,
throw,
cast,
pitch,
flick,
fling,
sling (informal)
in the sense of flip
Definition
a snap or tap, usually with the fingers
having gambled all on the flip of a coin
Synonyms
toss,
throw,
cast,
pitch,
spin,
snap,
twist,
flick,
jerk
Synonyms of 'flick'
flick
Explore 'flick' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hit
Definition
to strike or touch (a person or thing) forcefully
She hit him hard across his left arm.
Synonyms
strike,
beat,
knock,
punch,
belt (informal),
deck (slang),
bang,
batter,
clip (informal),
slap,
bash (informal),
sock (slang),
chin (slang),
smack,
thump,
clout (informal),
cuff,
flog,
whack,
clobber (slang),
smite (archaic),
wallop (informal),
swat,
tonk (slang),
lay one on (slang),
beat or knock seven bells out of (informal)
in the sense of jab
Definition
a sharp poke
He gave me a jab in the side.
Synonyms
poke,
dig,
punch,
thrust,
tap,
stab,
nudge,
prod,
lunge
in the sense of jolt
Definition
to bump against (someone or something) with a sudden violent movement
The train jolted into motion.
Synonyms
jerk,
push,
shake,
knock,
jar,
shove,
jog,
jostle
in the sense of peck
Definition
to strike or pick up with the beak
The crow pecked his hand.
Synonyms
pick,
bite,
hit,
strike,
tap,
poke,
jab,
prick,
nibble
in the sense of pull
Definition
to exert force on (an object) to draw it towards the source of the force
I helped pull him out of the water.
Synonyms
draw,
haul,
drag,
trail,
tow,
tug,
jerk,
yank,
prise,
wrench,
lug,
wrest
in the sense of rap
Definition
to knock loudly and sharply
A guard raps his stick on a metal hand rail.
Synonyms
hit,
strike,
knock,
crack (informal),
tap
in the sense of rap
Definition
a sharp quick blow or the sound produced by it
There was a light rap on the door.
Synonyms
blow,
knock,
crack (informal),
tap,
clout (informal)
in the sense of snap
Definition
to move or close with a sudden sharp sound
He snapped the cap on his ballpoint.
Synonyms
pop,
click,
crackle
in the sense of stroke
Definition
a blow, knock, or hit
He was sending the ball into the net with each stroke.
Synonyms
blow,
hit,
knock,
pat,
rap,
thump,
swipe (informal)
in the sense of sweep
Definition
a swift or steady movement
She indicated the garden with a sweep of her hand.
Synonyms
movement,
move,
swing,
stroke,
gesture
Additional synonyms
in the sense of touch
Definition
to come or bring (something) into contact with (something else)
As the aeroplane came down, the wing touched a pile of rubble.
Synonyms
tap,
hit,
strike,
push,
pat
in the sense of touch
Definition
a gentle push, tap, or caress
Even a light touch on the face can trigger this pain.
Synonyms
contact,
push,
stroke,
brush,
press,
tap,
poke,
nudge,
prod,
caress,
fondling
in the sense of tug
Definition
to pull or drag with a sharp or powerful movement
A little boy tugged at her sleeve excitedly.
Synonyms
pull,
drag,
pluck,
jerk,
yank,
wrench,
lug
in the sense of whisk
Definition
to brush away lightly
The dog whisked its tail around in excitement.
Synonyms
flick,
whip,
sweep,
brush,
wipe,
twitch
in the sense of whisk
Definition
the act or an instance of whisking
With one whisk of its tail, the horse brushed the flies off.