flow
noun OPAL WOPAL S
/fləʊ/
/fləʊ/
[countable, usually singular, uncountable]Idioms - the steady and continuous movement of something/somebody in one direction
- the flow of an electric current
- flow (of something) (from something) She tried to stop the flow of blood from the wound.
- flow (of something) to something Exercise increases blood flow to the brain.
- flow (of something) into something an endless flow of refugees into the country
- flow (of something) through something a steady flow of traffic through the city
- to improve traffic flow (= make it move faster)
- to control the direction of flow
- Cut back surrounding vegetation to increase light and air flow.
Extra Examples- First cut off the water flow from the boiler.
- Changes in the flow of patients have reduced the number of beds available.
- Squeeze the tube of sealant slowly to obtain an even flow.
- The flow rate was measured at 9.5 gallons per second.
- The main flow of water has been diverted to a new course.
- They have to swim against the flow of the river.
- An uninterrupted flow of traffic prevented us from getting to the other side.
- The flow of adrenalin can help the mind to react quickly in a moment of stress.
- The whole operation depends on a steady flow of electricity.
- There was a swift flow of air through the room.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heavy
- large
- massive
- …
- have
- get
- obtain
- …
- rate
- chart
- diagram
- …
- against the flow
- flow among
- flow from
- …
- the ebb and flow
- in full flow
- the rate of flow
- …
- the continuous production or supply of something
- to encourage the free flow of information
- efforts to stem the flow of illegal drugs
- We are looking to improve data flow by up to 50%.
- flow of something to something the flow of goods and services to remote areas
Extra Examples- The continual bombing disrupted the flow of supplies to the ground troops.
- The system provides a continuous flow of information to the market.
- We like to allow a free flow of ideas in our company.
- the flow of data through the system
- the outward flow of investment from the country
- to encourage the flow of revenue into the country
- to maintain an even flow of work through the department
- They extended the raids in an attempt to interrupt the flow of men and supplies to the enemy lines.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heavy
- large
- massive
- …
- have
- get
- obtain
- …
- rate
- chart
- diagram
- …
- against the flow
- flow among
- flow from
- …
- the ebb and flow
- in full flow
- the rate of flow
- …
- continuous talk by somebody
- You've interrupted my flow—I can't remember what I was saying.
- He kept up a flow of chatter.
- As usual, Tom was in full flow (= talking confidently in a way that is hard to interrupt).
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heavy
- large
- massive
- …
- have
- get
- obtain
- …
- rate
- chart
- diagram
- …
- against the flow
- flow among
- flow from
- …
- the ebb and flow
- in full flow
- the rate of flow
- …
- the way that words, ideas or themes are linked together in speech, writing or music
- Too many examples can interrupt the smooth flow of the text.
- I found it hard to follow the flow of the argument.
- I liked the concerto for its natural flow.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heavy
- large
- massive
- …
- have
- get
- obtain
- …
- rate
- chart
- diagram
- …
- against the flow
- flow among
- flow from
- …
- the ebb and flow
- in full flow
- the rate of flow
- …
- the movement of the sea towards the land
- the ebb and flow of the tide
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heavy
- large
- massive
- …
- have
- get
- obtain
- …
- rate
- chart
- diagram
- …
- against the flow
- flow among
- flow from
- …
- the ebb and flow
- in full flow
- the rate of flow
- …
continuous movement
production/supply
of speech/writing
of the sea
Word OriginOld English flōwan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vloeien, also to flood.
Idioms
the ebb and flow (of something/somebody)
- the repeated, often regular, movement from one state to another; the repeated change in level, numbers or amount
- the ebb and flow of the seasons
- She sat in silence enjoying the ebb and flow of conversation.
- He had known her long enough to recognize the ebb and flow of her moods.
- the natural ebb and flow of water
- We see a constant ebb and flow of jobs.
go with the flow
- (informal) to be relaxed and not worry about what you should do