Search results for 'fly':

fly¹ noun (flies) 1 a two-winged insect, especially the common housefly. 2 in compounds any of various other flying insects • mayfly • dragonfly • butterfly. 3 angling a fish hook tied with colourful feathers to look like a fly, used in fly-fishing. drop like flies colloq to fall ill or die in large numbers. a fly in the ointment a drawback or disadvantage to an otherwise satisfactory state of affairs. a fly on the wall the invisible observer, usually at a meeting or in a social situation, that one would like to be on certain occasions to find out what is happening without having to take part. no flies on someone colloq referring to someone who is cunning and not easily fooled • There are no flies on Harry. they, etc wouldn't harm a fly they, etc have a gentle nature.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon fleoge.

fly² verb (3rd person present tense flies, past tense flew , past participle flown , present participle flying) 1 intrans a said of birds, bats, insects and certain other animals: to move through the air using wings or structures resembling wings; b said of an aircraft or spacecraft: to travel through the air or through space. 2 tr & intr to travel or convey in an aircraft • They flew to Moscow • The company flew them to Moscow. 3 to operate and control (an aircraft, kite, etc); to cause it to fly • The pilot flew the plane competently. 4 to cross (an area of land or water) in an aircraft • They flew the Atlantic to New York. 5 a to raise (a flag) • fly the flag on St George's day; b intrans said of a flag: to blow or flutter in the wind. 6 intrans to move or pass rapidly • fly into a temper • rumours flying around. 7 intrans, colloq to depart quickly; to dash off • I must fly. 8 tr & intr to escape; to flee (a country, a war zone, etc). noun (flies) 1 (chiefly flies) a zip or set of buttons fastening a trouser front, or the flap covering these. 2 a flap covering the entrance to a tent. 3 (flies) the space above a stage, concealed from the audience's view, from which scenery is lowered. 4 short for flywheel. do something on the fly to work something out immediately without any preparation. fly by the seat of one's pants to do a job instinctively or by feel when one doesn't know the usual procedure. fly high 1 to be ambitious. 2 to prosper or flourish. fly in the face of something to oppose it; to be at variance with it. fly a kite to release information about an idea, proposal, etc to find out what people's opinion might be about it. fly off the handle to lose one's temper. fly open said of a door, window, etc: to open suddenly or violently, due to a gust of wind, someone's abrupt entry, etc. let fly to loose one's temper (with someone) • Suddenly, Paul let fly at Mark. let something fly to shoot or throw something. send someone or something flying to knock them down or knock them over with considerable force.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon fleogan.

fly³ adj, colloq cunning; smart.
ETYMOLOGY: 19c.