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fly

1 fly /ˈflaɪ/ verb
flies; flew /ˈfluː/ ; flown /ˈfloʊn/ ; flying
1 fly
/ˈflaɪ/
verb
flies; flew /ˈfluː/ ; flown /ˈfloʊn/ ; flying
Britannica Dictionary definition of FLY
[no object] : to move through the air with wings
[no object] : to move through the air especially at a high speed
often used figuratively
: to control an airplane, helicopter, etc., as it moves through the air : to be the pilot of an aircraft
[+ object]
[no object]
[+ object] : to journey over (something, such as an ocean) by flying an airplane
[no object] : to travel in an aircraft or spacecraft
[+ object] : to travel by flying on (a particular airline)
[+ object] : to carry (someone or something) to a place in an aircraft
: to show (something, such as a flag) by putting it in a high place
[+ object]
[no object]
see also fly the flag at 1flag
[+ object] : to cause (something, such as a kite) to fly in the air see also go fly a kite at kite
[no object] : to move or go quickly
[no object] : to move freely
[no object] : to pass very quickly
[no object] chiefly US, informal : to be approved or accepted usually used in negative statements

as the crow flies

see 1crow

fly at

[phrasal verb]
fly at (someone)
: to attack (someone) with sudden violence

fly high

informal
: to be very happy and excited
: to be very successful

fly in the face of

also US fly in the teeth of
: to fail completely to agree with (something) : to oppose or contradict (something) directly

fly into

[phrasal verb]
fly into (something)
: to be overcome by (sudden extreme emotion)

fly off the handle

informal
: to lose control of your emotions : to become very angry

fly the coop

informal
: to leave suddenly or secretly : to escape or go away

let fly

informal or let fly with
: to throw (something) in a forceful way often used figuratively
compare 2fly
2 fly /ˈflaɪ/ verb
flies; flied; flying
2 fly
/ˈflaɪ/
verb
flies; flied; flying
Britannica Dictionary definition of FLY
[no object] baseball
: to hit a fly ball
compare 1fly
3 fly /ˈflaɪ/ noun
plural flies
3 fly
/ˈflaɪ/
noun
plural flies
Britannica Dictionary definition of FLY
[count]
: a small insect that has two wings
: a hook that is designed to look like an insect and that is used for catching fish see also fly-fishing

drop like flies

informal also die like flies
◊ If people or animals are dropping/dying like flies, they are dropping or dying very quickly in large numbers.
◊ These phrases are often used figuratively.

fly in the ointment

: someone or something that causes problems

fly on the wall

: someone who secretly watches or listens to other people

no flies on

chiefly British, informal
◊ If there are no flies on you, you are a smart person who is quick to understand things and not easily fooled.

wouldn't hurt a fly

◊ Someone who wouldn't hurt a fly is too gentle to want to hurt anyone.
compare 4fly
4 fly /ˈflaɪ/ noun
plural flies
4 fly
/ˈflaɪ/
noun
plural flies
Britannica Dictionary definition of FLY
[count]
: an opening in a piece of clothing (such as a pair of trousers, shorts, or a skirt) that is hidden by a fold of cloth and that is closed by a zipper or a row of buttons sometimes plural in British English see color picture on this page

on the fly

: quickly and often without preparation
: through the air : without hitting the ground
: while something else is also being done on a computer
compare 3fly