Fly | Mean of fly in English Dictionary

/ˈflaɪ/

• Verb
• to move through the air with wings
1. A bird flew in through the open window.
2. insects flying over the water
• to move through the air especially at a high speed
1. We watched as clouds flew across the sky.
2. Waves crashed on the rocks and spray flew up into the air.
3. Bullets were flying in all directions.
4. He tripped and went flying (through the air).
5. Rumors are flying [=there are a lot of rumors] that he'll be announcing his candidacy soon.
6. Accusations are flying. [=people are making a lot of accusations]
• to control an airplane, helicopter, etc., as it moves through the air
1. fly a plane
2. He flies jets.
3. He learned to fly while he was in the Air Force.
4. She flies for a major airline.
5. She's taking flying lessons.

• to journey over (something, such as an ocean) by flying an airplane
1. Charles Lindbergh was the first person to fly the Atlantic solo.
• to travel in an aircraft or spacecraft
1. They flew to California for vacation.
2. I'm flying to Canada to visit my family.
3. He insists on flying first-class.
4. A doctor flew in from the mainland.
5. She flew on a shuttle mission last year.
• to travel by flying on (a particular airline)
1. He always flies the same airline. [=he always flies on the same airline]
• to carry (someone or something) to a place in an aircraft
1. Supplies were flown to the disaster area.
2. They fly cargo around the world.
3. A doctor was flown in from the mainland.
• to show (something, such as a flag) by putting it in a high place
1. We flew a banner across the entrance.
2. A flag flies in front of the building. = There is a flag flying in front of the building.
• to cause (something, such as a kite) to fly in the air
1. Children were flying kites in the park.
• to move or go quickly
1. She flew to the window when she heard the car.
2. The door flew open and he rushed into the room.
3. I flew up the stairs to answer the phone.
4. I must fly or I'll be late for my appointment.
5. That horse really flies.
6. Cars were flying past us on the highway.
• to move freely
1. As she ran, her hair flew in every direction.
• to pass very quickly
1. Time flies.
2. Our vacation flew by before we knew it.
• to be approved or accepted
1. This plan will never fly.
2. His budget proposals didn't fly with voters. [=voters didn't like his proposals]
• to attack (someone) with sudden violence
1. He flew at me in a rage.
• to be very happy and excited
1. She was flying high after her excellent exam results.
• to be very successful
1. After some difficult years, the company is flying high again.
• to fail completely to agree with (something)
1. His explanation flies in the face of the evidence. [=his explanation is not supported at all by the evidence]
2. a theory that flies in the face of logic [=a theory that is not logical at all]
3. a policy that flies in the face of reason [=a policy that is extremely unreasonable]
• to be overcome by (sudden extreme emotion)
1. He flew into a rage. [=he suddenly became very angry]
2. They flew into a panic. [=they suddenly panicked]
• to lose control of your emotions
1. He tends to fly off the handle when people disagree with him.
• to leave suddenly or secretly
1. In the morning the suspect had flown the coop.
2. All their children have flown the coop. [=have moved away from home]
• to throw (something) in a forceful way
1. The quarterback let fly (with) a long pass.
2. She let fly (with) a few angry words. [=she shouted a few angry words]
• to hit a fly ball
1. The batter flied to left field.
2. He flied out to left field. [=he made an out by hitting a fly ball that was caught by the left fielder]
• Noun
• a small insect that has two wings
1. swat a fly
2. the buzz of a fly
• a hook that is designed to look like an insect and that is used for catching fish
1. an artificial fly
• someone or something that causes problems
1. We're almost ready to start work. Getting the permit is the only fly in the ointment.
• someone who secretly watches or listens to other people
1. I would like to be a fly on the wall during the negotiations. [=I would like to be able to hear what is being said during the negotiations]
• 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
1. He zipped/buttoned his fly.
2. He zipped his flies.
• quickly and often without preparation
1. You'll have to make decisions on the fly.
• through the air
1. The home run went 450 feet on the fly.
• while something else is also being done on a computer
1. software that handles formatting on the fly