10 → see also milk float
11 N‑SING A float is a small amount of coins and notes of low value that someone has before they start selling things so that they are able to give customers change if necessary. [BRIT ]
▸ float around PHRASAL VERB A rumour or idea that is floating around is often heard or talked about. □ [V P ] There are still some unfounded fears floating around out there about cancer being contagious.
floa t|ing vo t|er (floating voters ) N‑COUNT A floating voter is a person who is not a firm supporter of any political party, and whose vote in an election is difficult to predict. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use swing voter
flock /flɒ k/ (flocks , flocking , flocked )
1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A flock of birds, sheep, or goats is a group of them. □ [+ of ] They kept a small flock of sheep. □ They are gregarious birds and feed in flocks.
2 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] You can refer to a group of people or things as a flock of them to emphasize that there are a lot of them. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] These cases all attracted flocks of famous writers. □ [+ of ] …his flock of advisers.
3 VERB If people flock to a particular place or event, a very large number of them go there, usually because it is pleasant or interesting. □ [V + to ] The public have flocked to the show. □ [V to-inf] The criticisms will not stop people flocking to see the film. □ [V prep/adv] His greatest wish must be that huge crowds flock into the beautiful park.
floe /floʊ / → see ice floe
flog /flɒ g/ (flogs , flogging , flogged )
1 VERB If someone tries to flog something, they try to sell it. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n] They are trying to flog their house.
2 VERB If someone is flogged , they are hit very hard with a whip or stick as a punishment. □ [be V -ed] In these places people starved, were flogged, were clubbed to death. □ [V n] Flog them soundly. ● flog|ging (floggings ) N‑VAR □ He was sentenced to a flogging and life imprisonment.
3 PHRASE If you say that someone is flogging a dead horse , you mean that they are trying to achieve something impossible. [INFORMAL ]
flood ◆◇◇ /flʌ d/ (floods , flooding , flooded )
1 N‑VAR If there is a flood , a large amount of water covers an area which is usually dry, for example when a river flows over its banks or a pipe bursts. □ More than 70 people were killed in the floods, caused when a dam burst. □ This is the type of flood dreaded by cavers. □ Over 25 people drowned when a schoolbus tried to cross a river and flood waters swept through.
2 VERB If something such as a river or a burst pipe floods an area that is usually dry or if the area floods , it becomes covered with water. □ [V n] The Chicago River flooded the city's underground tunnel system. □ [V ] The kitchen flooded. ● flood|ed ADJ □ People were mobilised to drain flooded land as heavy rains continued to fall.
3 VERB If a river floods , it overflows, especially after very heavy rain. □ [V ] …the relentless rain that caused twenty rivers to flood. □ [V n] Many streams have flooded their banks, making some roads impassable.
4 N‑COUNT If you say that a flood of people or things arrive somewhere, you are emphasizing that a very large number of them arrive there. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] …a flood of new university graduates. □ [+ of ] He received a flood of letters from irate constituents.
5 VERB If you say that people or things flood into a place, you are emphasizing that they arrive there in large numbers. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V prep/adv] Enquiries flooded in from all over the world. □ [V prep/adv] They flooded out of the ground in their thousands long before the final whistle.
6 VERB If you flood a place with a particular type of thing, or if a particular type of thing floods a place, the place becomes full of so many of them that it cannot hold or deal with any more. □ [V n + with ] …a policy aimed at flooding Europe with exports. □ [V n] German cameras at knock-down prices flooded the British market. ● flood|ed ADJ □ …the danger of Europe becoming flooded with low-cost agricultural imports.
7 VERB If an emotion, feeling, or thought floods you, you suddenly feel it very intensely. If feelings or memories flood back , you suddenly remember them very clearly. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] A wave of happiness flooded me. □ [be V -ed + with ] Mary Ann was flooded with relief. □ [V adv] It was probably the shock which had brought all the memories flooding back.
8 VERB If light floods a place or floods into it, it suddenly fills it. □ [V n] The afternoon light flooded the little rooms. □ [V prep/adv] Morning sunshine flooded in through the open curtains.
9 → see also flash flood
10 PHRASE If you say that someone was in floods of tears or in a flood of tears , you are emphasizing that they were crying with great intensity because they were very upset. [EMPHASIS ] □ They said goodbye in a flood of tears.
▸ flood out PHRASAL VERB If people, places, or things are flooded out , the water from a flood makes it impossible for people to stay in that place or to use that thing. □ [be V -ed P ] Train lines were flooded out. □ [V n P ] The river flooded them out every few years.
flood|gates /flʌ dge I ts/ PHRASE If events open the floodgates to something, they make it possible for that thing to happen much more often or much more seriously than before. □ [+ to/for ] A decision against the cigarette companies could open the floodgates to many more lawsuits.