3fly noun
plural flies [count] 1 : a small insect that has two wings
▪ swat a fly ▪ the buzz of a fly 2 : a hook that is designed to look like an insect and that is used for catching fish
▪ an artificial fly — see also fly-fishing
▪ swat a fly ▪ the buzz of a fly
▪ an artificial fly — see also fly-fishing
drop like flies also die like flies
informal ◊If people or animals are dropping/dying like flies, they are dropping or dying very quickly in large numbers.
▪ The heat was so intense that people were dropping like flies. [=many people were fainting from the heat] ▪ Horses and cattle dropped/died like flies during the drought. These phrases are often used figuratively. ▪ Candidates were dropping like flies during the early part of the campaign.
▪ The heat was so intense that people were dropping like flies. [=many people were fainting from the heat] ▪ Horses and cattle dropped/died like flies during the drought. These phrases are often used figuratively. ▪ Candidates were dropping like flies during the early part of the campaign.
fly in the ointment
: someone or something that causes problems
▪ We're almost ready to start work. Getting the permit is the only fly in the ointment.
▪ We're almost ready to start work. Getting the permit is the only fly in the ointment.
fly on the wall
: someone who secretly watches or listens to other people
▪ 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 negotations]
▪ 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 negotations]
no flies on
chiefly Brit, informal ◊If there are no flies on you, you are a smart person who is quick to undertand things and not easily fooled.
wouldn't hurt a fly
◊Someone who wouldn't hurt a fly is too gentle to want to hurt anyone.
▪ He looks big and dangerous, but he wouldn't hurt a fly.
▪ He looks big and dangerous, but he wouldn't hurt a fly.
— compare 4fly
