flut|ter /flʌ tə r / (flutters , fluttering , fluttered )
1 VERB If something thin or light flutters , or if you flutter it, it moves up and down or from side to side with a lot of quick, light movements. □ [V ] Her chiffon skirt was fluttering in the night breeze. □ [V n] …a butterfly fluttering its wings. □ [V -ing] …the fluttering white lace handkerchief. ● N‑COUNT Flutter is also a noun. □ …a flutter of white cloth.
2 VERB If something light such as a small bird or a piece of paper flutters somewhere, it moves through the air with small quick movements. □ [V adv/prep] The paper fluttered to the floor. □ [V ] The birds were active, whirring and fluttering among the trees.
3 N‑COUNT If you have a flutter , you have a small bet on something such as a horse race. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [+ on ] I had a flutter on five horses.
flux /flʌ ks/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] If something is in a state of flux , it is constantly changing. □ Education remains in a state of flux which will take some time to settle down.
fly ◆◆◆ /fla I / (flies , flying , flew , flown )
1 N‑COUNT A fly is a small insect with two wings. There are many kinds of flies, and the most common are black in colour.
2 VERB When something such as a bird, insect, or aircraft flies , it moves through the air. □ [V prep/adv] The planes flew through the clouds. □ [V prep/adv] The bird flew away. [Also V ]
3 VERB If you fly somewhere, you travel there in an aircraft. □ [V prep/adv] He flew back to London. □ [V prep/adv] Mr Baker flew in from Moscow.
4 VERB When someone flies an aircraft, they control its movement in the air. □ [V n] Parker had successfully flown both aircraft. □ [V n prep/adv] He flew a small plane to Cuba. □ [V ] His inspiration to fly came even before he joined the Army. ● fly|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …a flying instructor.
5 VERB To fly someone or something somewhere means to take or send them there in an aircraft. □ [be V -ed adv/prep] The relief supplies are being flown from a warehouse in Pisa.
6 VERB If something such as your hair is flying about, it is moving about freely and loosely in the air. □ [V adv/prep] His long, uncovered hair flew back in the wind. □ [V ] She was running down the stairs, her hair flying.
7 VERB If you fly a flag or if it is flying , you display it at the top of a pole. □ [V n] They flew the flag of the African National Congress. □ [V ] A flag was flying on the new military HQ.
8 VERB If you say that someone or something flies in a particular direction, you are emphasizing that they move there with a lot of speed or force. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V prep/adv] I flew downstairs.
9 N‑COUNT The front opening on a pair of trousers is referred to as the fly , or in British English the flies . It usually consists of a zip or row of buttons behind a band of cloth.
10 → see also flying , tsetse fly
11 PHRASE If you say that someone wouldn't hurt a fly or wouldn't harm a fly , you are emphasizing that they are very kind and gentle. [EMPHASIS ] □ …a lovely girl, who would not have harmed a fly.
12 PHRASE If you let fly , you attack someone, either physically by hitting them, or with words by insulting them. □ A simmering row ended with her letting fly with a stream of obscenities.
13 PHRASE If you send someone or something flying or if they go flying , they move through the air and fall down with a lot of force. □ The blow sent the young man flying.
14 PHRASE If you say that you would like to be a fly on the wall in a situation that does not involve you, you mean that you would like to see or hear what happens in that situation. □ What I'd give to be a fly on the wall when Davis finds out what's happened to his precious cargo.
15 → see also fly-on-the-wall
16 as the crow flies → see crow
17 to fly in the face of → see face ➊
18 to fly the flag → see flag
19 to fly off the handle → see handle
20 a fly in the ointment → see ointment
21 pigs might fly → see pig
22 sparks fly → see spark
23 time flies → see time
▸ fly at PHRASAL VERB If you fly at someone, you attack them, either physically by hitting them, or with words by insulting them. □ [V P n] She flew at him for making a very anti-British remark.
▸ fly into PHRASAL VERB If you fly into a bad temper or a panic, you suddenly become very angry or anxious and show this in your behaviour. □ [V P n] Losing a game would cause him to fly into a rage.
fly|away /fla I əwe I / ADJ [usu ADJ n] Flyaway hair is very soft and fine. [WRITTEN ]
fly|by /fla I ba I / (flybys ) also fly-by N‑COUNT A flyby is a flight made by an aircraft or a spacecraft over a particular place in order to record details about it.
fly -by-night ADJ [ADJ n] A fly-by-night businessman is someone who wants to make money very quickly, without caring about the quality or honesty of the service they offer. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …fly-by-night operators who fail to complete jobs.