1fly 
/ˈflaɪ/ verb
flies; flew /ˈflaɪ/ verb /ˈflu:/; flown /ˈfloʊn/; fly·ing 1 [no obj] : to move through the air with wings
▪ A bird flew in through the open window. ▪ insects flying over the water 2 [no obj] : to move through the air especially at a high speed
▪ We watched as clouds flew across the sky. ▪ Waves crashed on the rocks and spray flew up into the air. ▪ Bullets were flying in all directions. ▪ He tripped and went flying (through the air). — often used figuratively ▪ Rumors are flying [=there are a lot of rumors] that he'll be announcing his candidacy soon. ▪ Accusations are flying. [=people are making a lot of accusations] 3 a : to control an airplane, helicopter, etc., as it moves through the air : to be the pilot of an aircraft [+ obj] ▪ fly a plane ▪ He flies jets. [no obj] ▪ He learned to fly while he was in the Air Force. ▪ She flies for a major airline. ▪ She's taking flying lessons.
b [+ obj] : to journey over (something, such as an ocean) by flying an airplane
▪ Charles Lindbergh was the first person to fly the Atlantic solo. 4 a [no obj] : to travel in an aircraft or spacecraft
▪ They flew to California for vacation. ▪ I'm flying to Canada to visit my family. ▪ He insists on flying first-class. ▪ A doctor flew in from the mainland. ▪ She flew on a shuttle mission last year.
b [+ obj] : to travel by flying on (a particular airline)
▪ He always flies the same airline. [=he always flies on the same airline]
c [+ obj] : to carry (someone or something) to a place in an aircraft
▪ Supplies were flown to the disaster area. ▪ They fly cargo around the world. ▪ A doctor was flown in from the mainland. 5 a : to show (something, such as a flag) by putting it in a high place [+ obj] ▪ We flew a banner across the entrance. [no obj] ▪ A flag flies in front of the building. = There is a flag flying in front of the building. — see also fly the flag at 1flag
b [+ obj] : to cause (something, such as a kite) to fly in the air
▪ Children were flying kites in the park. — see also go fly a kite at kite 6 [no obj] : to move or go quickly
▪ She flew to the window when she heard the car. ▪ The door flew open and he rushed into the room. ▪ I flew up the stairs to answer the phone. ▪ I must fly or I'll be late for my appointment. ▪ That horse really flies. ▪ Cars were flying past us on the highway. 7 [no obj] : to move freely
▪ As she ran, her hair flew in every direction. 8 [no obj] : to pass very quickly
▪ Time flies. ▪ Our vacation flew by before we knew it. 9 [no obj] chiefly US, informal : to be approved or accepted — usually used in negative statements ▪ This plan will never fly. ▪ His budget proposals didn't fly with voters. [=voters didn't like his proposals]
▪ A bird flew in through the open window. ▪ insects flying over the water
▪ We watched as clouds flew across the sky. ▪ Waves crashed on the rocks and spray flew up into the air. ▪ Bullets were flying in all directions. ▪ He tripped and went flying (through the air). — often used figuratively ▪ Rumors are flying [=there are a lot of rumors] that he'll be announcing his candidacy soon. ▪ Accusations are flying. [=people are making a lot of accusations]
b [+ obj] : to journey over (something, such as an ocean) by flying an airplane
▪ Charles Lindbergh was the first person to fly the Atlantic solo.
▪ They flew to California for vacation. ▪ I'm flying to Canada to visit my family. ▪ He insists on flying first-class. ▪ A doctor flew in from the mainland. ▪ She flew on a shuttle mission last year.
b [+ obj] : to travel by flying on (a particular airline)
▪ He always flies the same airline. [=he always flies on the same airline]
c [+ obj] : to carry (someone or something) to a place in an aircraft
▪ Supplies were flown to the disaster area. ▪ They fly cargo around the world. ▪ A doctor was flown in from the mainland.
b [+ obj] : to cause (something, such as a kite) to fly in the air
▪ Children were flying kites in the park. — see also go fly a kite at kite
▪ She flew to the window when she heard the car. ▪ The door flew open and he rushed into the room. ▪ I flew up the stairs to answer the phone. ▪ I must fly or I'll be late for my appointment. ▪ That horse really flies. ▪ Cars were flying past us on the highway.
▪ As she ran, her hair flew in every direction.
▪ Time flies. ▪ Our vacation flew by before we knew it.
as the crow flies — see 1crow
fly at [phrasal verb]
fly at (someone) : to attack (someone) with sudden violence
▪ He flew at me in a rage.
▪ He flew at me in a rage.
fly high
informal 1 : to be very happy and excited
▪ She was flying high after her excellent exam results. 2 : to be very successful
▪ After some difficult years, the company is flying high again.
▪ She was flying high after her excellent exam results.
▪ After some difficult years, the company is flying high again.
fly in the face of also US fly in the teeth of
: to fail completely to agree with (something) : to oppose or contradict (something) directly
▪ His explanation flies in the face of the evidence. [=his explanation is not supported at all by the evidence] ▪ a theory that flies in the face of logic [=a theory that is not logical at all] ▪ a policy that flies in the face of reason [=a policy that is extremely unreasonable]
▪ His explanation flies in the face of the evidence. [=his explanation is not supported at all by the evidence] ▪ a theory that flies in the face of logic [=a theory that is not logical at all] ▪ a policy that flies in the face of reason [=a policy that is extremely unreasonable]
fly into [phrasal verb]
fly into (something) : to be overcome by (sudden extreme emotion)
▪ He flew into a rage. [=he suddenly became very angry] ▪ They flew into a panic. [=they suddenly panicked]
▪ He flew into a rage. [=he suddenly became very angry] ▪ They flew into a panic. [=they suddenly panicked]
fly off the handle
informal : to lose control of your emotions : to become very angry
▪ He tends to fly off the handle when people disagree with him.
▪ He tends to fly off the handle when people disagree with him.
fly the coop
informal : to leave suddenly or secretly : to escape or go away
▪ In the morning the suspect had flown the coop. ▪ All their children have flown the coop. [=have moved away from home]
▪ In the morning the suspect had flown the coop. ▪ All their children have flown the coop. [=have moved away from home]
let fly or let fly with
informal : to throw (something) in a forceful way
▪ The quarterback let fly (with) a long pass. — often used figuratively ▪ She let fly (with) a few angry words. [=she shouted a few angry words]
▪ The quarterback let fly (with) a long pass. — often used figuratively ▪ She let fly (with) a few angry words. [=she shouted a few angry words]
— compare 2fly
