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. □ [V n] He flicked a light-switch on the wall beside the door. □ [V n with on/off ] Sam was flicking a flashlight on and 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. □ [V + through ] She was flicking through some magazines on a table. ● N‑SING Flick is also a noun. □ [+ through ] I thought I'd have a quick flick through some recent issues.
flick|er /fl I kə r / (flickers , flickering , flickered )
1 VERB If a light or flame flickers , it shines unsteadily. □ [V ] A television flickered in the corner. ● N‑COUNT Flicker is also a noun. □ Looking through the cabin window I saw the flicker of flames.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you experience a flicker of emotion, you feel that emotion only for a very short time, and not very strongly. □ [+ of ] He felt a flicker of regret. □ [+ of ] He looked at me, a flicker of amusement in his cold eyes.
3 VERB If something flickers , it makes very slight, quick movements. □ [V ] In a moment her eyelids flickered, then opened. □ [V adj] A few moments later Mrs Tenney's eyelids flickered open.
fli ck-knife (flick-knives ) also flick knife N‑COUNT A flick-knife is a knife with a blade in the handle that springs out when a button is pressed. [BRIT ] in AM, use switchblade
fli|er /fla I ə r / → see flyer
flight ◆◆◇ /fla I t/ (flights )
1 N‑COUNT A flight is a journey made by flying, usually in an aeroplane. □ The flight will take four hours.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to an aeroplane carrying passengers on a particular journey as a particular flight . □ I'll try to get on the flight down to Karachi tonight. □ BA flight 286 was two hours late.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Flight is the action of flying, or the ability to fly. □ These hawks are magnificent in flight, soaring and circling for long periods. □ Supersonic flight could become a routine form of travel in the 21st century.
4 N‑COUNT A flight of birds is a group of them flying together. □ [+ of ] A flight of green parrots shot out of the cedar forest.
5 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] Flight is the act of running away from a dangerous or unpleasant situation or place. □ The family was often in flight, hiding out in friends' houses. □ …her hurried flight from the palace in a cart.
6 N‑COUNT A flight of steps or stairs is a set of steps or stairs that lead from one level to another without changing direction. □ [+ of ] We walked in silence up a flight of stairs and down a long corridor.
7 PHRASE If someone takes flight , they run away from an unpleasant situation or place. □ He was told of the raid and decided to take flight immediately. COLLOCATIONS flight NOUN
1
adjective + flight : cheap, direct, scheduled; domestic, internal, long-haul, short-haul, transatlantic; connecting, direct, non-stop
verb + flight : book; catch, take; cancel, delay
2
verb + flight : board
fli ght at|tend|ant (flight attendants ) N‑COUNT On an aeroplane, the flight attendants are the people whose job is to look after the passengers and serve their meals.
fli ght deck (flight decks ) also flight-deck
1 N‑COUNT On an aircraft carrier, the flight deck is the flat open surface on the deck where aircraft take off and land.
2 N‑COUNT On a large aeroplane, the flight deck is the area at the front where the pilot works and where all the controls are.
flight|less /fla I tləs/ ADJ [ADJ n] A flightless bird or insect is unable to fly because it does not have the necessary type of wings.
fli ght lieu|te n|ant (flight lieutenants ) also flight-lieutenant N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A flight lieutenant is an officer of middle rank in the British air force.
fli ght of ca pi|tal N‑SING When people lose confidence in a particular economy or market and withdraw their investment from it, you can refer to a flight of capital from that economy or market. [BUSINESS ] □ TI has seen its shares suffer because of a flight of capital to telecom and Internet-related businesses.
fli ght re|cord|er (flight recorders ) N‑COUNT On an aeroplane, the flight recorder is the same as the black box .
flighty /fla I ti/ (flightier , flightiest ) ADJ If you say that someone is flighty , you disapprove of them because they are not very serious or reliable and keep changing from one activity, idea, or partner to another. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Isabelle was a frivolous little fool, vain and flighty.
flim|sy /fl I mzi/ (flimsier , flimsiest )
1 ADJ A flimsy object is weak because it is made of a weak material, or is badly made. □ …a flimsy wooden door. □ …a pair of flimsy shoes. ● flim|si|ly /fl I mz I li/ ADV □ …flimsily constructed houses.
2 ADJ Flimsy cloth or clothing is thin and does not give much protection. □ …a very flimsy pink chiffon nightgown.