fly : Idioms & Phrases

Index


adder fly

Ad"der fly
Definitions
  1. A dragon fly.
Webster 1913

alder fly

  • noun dark-colored insect having predaceous aquatic larvae
    alderfly; Sialis lutaria.
WordNet

american fly honeysuckle

  • noun erect deciduous North American shrub with yellow-white flowers
    Lonicera canadensis; American fly honeysuckle.
WordNet

american flying squirrel

  • noun New World flying squirrels
WordNet

antlion fly

  • noun winged insect resembling a dragonfly; the larvae (doodlebugs) dig conical pits where they wait to catch e.g. ants
    ant lion; antlion.
WordNet

Apple fly

  • (Zoöl.), any dipterous insect, the larva of which burrows in apples. Apple flies belong to the genera Drosophila and Trypeta.
Webster 1913

As the crow flies

  • adverb by the shortest and most direct route
    • it's 10 miles as the crow flies
WordNet
  • in a direct line.
Webster 1913

asiatic flying squirrel

  • noun nocturnal rodent of Asia having furry folds of skin between forelegs and hind legs enabling it to move by gliding leaps
WordNet

bar fly

  • noun a drinker who frequents bars
WordNet

Bean fly

  • (Zoöl.), a fly found on bean flowers.
Webster 1913

Bee fly

  • noun hairy nectar-eating fly that resembles a bee; larvae are parasitic on larvae of bees and related insects
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), a two winged fly of the family Bombyliidæ. Some species, in the larval state, are parasitic upon bees.
Webster 1913

berna fly

Ber"na fly`
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A Brazilian dipterous insect of the genus Trypeta, which lays its eggs in the nostrils or in wounds of man and beast, where the larvæ do great injury.
Webster 1913

biplane flying fish

  • noun having both pectoral and pelvic fins enlarged
    biplane flying fish.
WordNet

Black fly

  • noun small blackish stout-bodied biting fly having aquatic larvae; sucks the blood of birds as well as humans and other mammals
    blackfly; buffalo gnat.
WordNet
  • . (Zoöl.) (a) In the United States, a small, venomous, two-winged fly of the genus Simulium of several species, exceedingly abundant and troublesome in the northern forests. The larvæ are aquatic. (b) A black plant louse, as the bean aphis (A. fabæ).
Webster 1913

Black fly, Cheese fly, Dragon fly, etc.

  • See under Black, Cheese, etc.
Webster 1913

blind flying

  • noun using only instruments for flying an aircraft because you cannot see through clouds or mists etc.
    blind landing.
WordNet

Blister fly

  • a blister beetle.
Webster 1913

blow fly

  • noun large usually hairy metallic blue or green fly; lays eggs in carrion or dung or wounds
    blowfly.
WordNet

Bobbin and fly frame

  • a roving machine.
Webster 1913

Brine fly

  • (Zoöl.), a fly of the genus Ephydra, the larvæ of which live in artificial brines and in salt lakes.
Webster 1913

Buffalo fly, ∨ Buffalo gnat

  • (Zoöl.), a small dipterous insect of the genus Simulium, allied to the black fly of the North. It is often extremely abundant in the lower part of the Mississippi valley and does great injury to domestic animals, often killing large numbers of cattle and horses. In Europe the Columbatz fly is a species with similar habits.
Webster 1913

bull fly

Bull" fly`, Bull"fly` noun (Also<
  • Bull fly
  • Bullfly
)
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any large fly troublesome to cattle, as the gadflies and breeze flies.
Webster 1913

burrel fly

Bur"rel fly`
Etymology
From its reddish color. See 1st Burrel.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The botfly or gadfly of cattle (Hypoderma bovis). See Gadfly.
Webster 1913

Caddice fly

  • noun small moth-like insect having two pairs of hairy membranous wings and aquatic larvae
    caddice fly; caddis fly; caddice-fly.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), a species of trichopterous insect, whose larva is the caddice.
Webster 1913

caddice-fly

  • noun small moth-like insect having two pairs of hairy membranous wings and aquatic larvae
    caddice fly; caddis fly; caddice-fly.
WordNet

caddis fly

  • noun small moth-like insect having two pairs of hairy membranous wings and aquatic larvae
    caddice fly; caddis fly; caddice-fly.
WordNet

caddis-fly

  • noun small moth-like insect having two pairs of hairy membranous wings and aquatic larvae
    caddice fly; caddis fly; caddice-fly.
WordNet

canker fly

Can"ker fly`
Definitions
  1. A fly that preys on fruit.
Webster 1913

chalcid fly

  • noun any of various tiny insects whose larvae are parasites on eggs and larvae of other insects; many are beneficial in destroying injurious insects
    chalcid; chalcidfly; chalcid wasp.
WordNet
Chal"cid fly`
Etymology
From Gr. copper; in allusion to its color.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) One of a numerous family of hymenopterous insects (Chalcididæ. Many are gallflies, others are parasitic on insects.
Webster 1913

chalcis fly

  • noun a variety of chalcid fly
WordNet

Cheese fly

  • (Zoöl.), a black dipterous insect (Piophila casei) of which the larvæ or maggots, called ckippers or hoppers, live in cheese.
Webster 1913

columbatz fly

Co*lum"batz fly`
Etymology
From Kolumbatz, a mountain in Germany.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) See Buffalo fly, under Buffalo.
Webster 1913

Corn fly

  • . (Zoöl.) (a) A small fly which, in the larval state, is injurious to grain, living in the stalk, and causing the disease called "gout," on account of the swelled joints. The common European species is Chlorops tæniopus. (b) A small fly (Anthomyia ze) whose larva or maggot destroys seed corn after it has been planted.
Webster 1913

Crane fly

  • noun long-legged slender flies that resemble large mosquitoes but do not bite
    daddy longlegs.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), a dipterous insect with long legs, of the genus Tipula.
Webster 1913

deer fly fever

  • noun a highly infectious disease of rodents (especially rabbits and squirrels) and sometimes transmitted to humans by ticks or flies or by handling infected animals
    tularemia; tularaemia; yatobyo; rabbit fever.
WordNet

distinguished flying cross

  • noun a United States Air Force decoration for heroism while participating in an aerial flight
WordNet

dobson fly

  • noun large soft-bodied insect having long slender mandibles in the male; aquatic larvae often used as bait
    Corydalus cornutus; dobson; dobsonfly.
WordNet

Dolphin fly

  • (Zoöl.), the black, bean, or collier, Aphis (Aphis fable), destructive to beans.
Webster 1913

Dragon fly

  • (Zoöl.), any insect of the family Libellulidæ. They have finely formed, large and strongly reticulated wings, a large head with enormous eyes, and a long body; called also mosquito hawks. Their larvæ are aquatic and insectivorous.
Webster 1913

Drake fly

  • a kind of fly, sometimes used in angling.
Webster 1913

drone fly

Drone" fly`
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A dipterous insect (Eristalis tenax), resembling the drone bee. See Eristalis.
Webster 1913

drop like flies

  • verb rapidly collapse, die, or drop out in large numbers
    • the contestants dropped like flies when the thermometer hit one hundred degrees
WordNet

dry fly

  • noun a fly (fisherman's lure) that skims the surface of the water
WordNet

End fly

  • a bobfly.
Webster 1913

Ephemeral fly

  • (Zoöl.), one of a group of neuropterous insects, belonging to the genus Ephemera and many allied genera, which live in the adult or winged state only for a short time. The larvæ are aquatic; called also day fly and May fly.
Webster 1913

european fly honeysuckle

  • noun cultivated Eurasian shrub with twin yellowish-white flowers and scarlet fruit
    European honeysuckle; Lonicera xylosteum.
WordNet

fast-flying

  • adjective satellite moving swiftly
    flying.
    • fast-flying planes
    • played the difficult passage with flying fingers
WordNet

fish fly

  • noun similar to but smaller than the dobsonfly; larvae are used as fishing bait
    fish fly.
WordNet

fish-fly

  • noun similar to but smaller than the dobsonfly; larvae are used as fishing bait
    fish fly.
WordNet

Fishing fly

  • an artificial fly for fishing.
Webster 1913

Flesh fly

  • noun fly whose larvae feed on carrion or the flesh of living animals
    Sarcophaga carnaria.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), one of several species of flies whose larvæ or maggots feed upon flesh, as the bluebottle fly; called also meat fly, carrion fly, and blowfly. See Blowly.
Webster 1913

Fly agaric

  • noun poisonous (but rarely fatal) woodland fungus having a scarlet cap with white warts and white gills
    Amanita muscaria.
WordNet
  • (Bot.), a mushroom (Agaricus muscarius), having a narcotic juice which, in sufficient quantities, is poisonous.
Webster 1913

fly ash

  • noun fine solid particles of ash that are carried into the air when fuel is combusted
WordNet

fly ball

  • noun (baseball) a hit that flies up in the air
    fly.
WordNet

fly blind

  • verb fly an airplane solely by relying on instruments
WordNet

Fly block

  • (Naut.), a pulley whose position shifts to suit the working of the tackle with which it is connected; used in the hoisting tackle of yards.
Webster 1913

Fly board

  • (Printing Press), the board on which printed sheets are deposited by the fly.
Webster 1913

Fly book

  • a case in the form of a book for anglers' flies. Kingsley.
Webster 1913

fly bridge

  • noun the highest navigational bridge on a ship; a small (often open) deck above the pilot house
    fly bridge; monkey bridge; flybridge.
WordNet

fly by

  • verb pass by while flying
    • An enemy plane flew by
  • verb move by very quickly
    zip by; whisk by.
WordNet

Fly cap

  • a cap with wings, formerly worn by women.
Webster 1913

fly casting

  • noun casting an artificial fly as a lure
WordNet

fly contact

  • verb fly a plane by using visible landmarks or points of reference
WordNet

Fly drill

  • a drill having a reciprocating motion controlled by a fly wheel, the driving power being applied by the hand through a cord winding in reverse directions upon the spindle as it rotates backward and forward. Knight.
Webster 1913

Fly fishing

  • the act or art of angling with a bait of natural or artificial flies. Walton.
Webster 1913

Fly flap

  • an implement for killing flies.
Webster 1913

fly floor

  • noun a narrow raised platform at the side of a stage in a theater; stagehands can work the ropes controlling equipment in the flies
    fly floor.
WordNet

fly front

  • noun an opening in a garment that is closed by a zipper or by buttons concealed under a fold of cloth
    fly.
WordNet

  • noun a narrow raised platform at the side of a stage in a theater; stagehands can work the ropes controlling equipment in the flies
    fly floor.
WordNet

Fly governor

  • a governor for regulating the speed of an engine, etc., by the resistance of vanes revolving in the air.
Webster 1913

fly high

  • verb be elated
    • He was flying high during the summer months
  • verb make steady progress; be at the high point in one's career or reach a high point in historical significance or importance
    prosper; flourish; thrive.
    • The new student is thriving
WordNet

Fly honeysuckle

  • noun erect deciduous North American shrub with yellow-white flowers
    Lonicera canadensis; American fly honeysuckle.
WordNet
  • (Bot.), a plant of the honeysuckle genus (Lonicera), having a bushy stem and the flowers in pairs, as L. ciliata and L. Xylosteum.
Webster 1913

Fly hook

  • a fishhook supplied with an artificial fly.
Webster 1913

fly in the face of

  • verb go against
    fly in the face of.
    • This action flies in the face of the agreement
WordNet

fly in the ointment

  • noun an inconvenience that detracts from the usefulness of something
WordNet

fly in the teeth of

  • verb go against
    fly in the face of.
    • This action flies in the face of the agreement
WordNet

Fly leaf

  • an unprinted leaf at the beginning or end of a book, circular, programme, etc.
Webster 1913

Fly maggot

  • a maggot bred from the egg of a fly. Ray.
Webster 1913

Fly net

  • a screen to exclude insects.
Webster 1913

Fly nut

  • (Mach.), a nut with wings; a thumb nut; a finger nut.
Webster 1913

fly off the handle

  • verb get very angry and fly into a rage
    hit the roof; flip one's lid; have kittens; go ballistic; flip one's wig; hit the ceiling; throw a fit; blow one's stack; lose one's temper; combust; blow up; blow a fuse; have a fit.
    • The professor combusted when the student didn't know the answer to a very elementary question
    • Spam makes me go ballistic
WordNet

fly on

  • verb continue flying
WordNet

fly open

  • verb come open suddenly
    • the doors flew open in the strong gust
WordNet

fly orchid

  • noun any of several dwarf creeping orchids with small bizarre insect-like hairy flowers on slender stalks
  • noun European orchid whose flowers resemble flies
    Ophrys muscifera; Ophrys insectifera.
WordNet

Fly orchis

  • (Bot.), a plant (Ophrys muscifera), whose flowers resemble flies.
Webster 1913

Fly paper

  • poisoned or sticky paper for killing flies that feed upon or are entangled by it.
Webster 1913

fly poison

  • noun all parts of plant are highly toxic; bulb pounded and used as a fly poison; sometimes placed in subfamily Melanthiaceae
    Amianthum muscitoxicum; Amianthum muscaetoxicum.
WordNet

Fly powder

  • an arsenical powder used to poison flies.
Webster 1913

Fly press

  • a screw press for punching, embossing, etc., operated by hand and having a heavy fly.
Webster 1913

Fly rail

  • a bracket which turns out to support the hinged leaf of a table.
Webster 1913

Fly rod

  • noun a long flexible fishing rod used in fly fishing
WordNet
  • a light fishing rod used in angling with a fly.
Webster 1913

Fly sheet

  • noun flap consisting of a piece of canvas that can be drawn back to provide entrance to a tent
    fly; rainfly; tent flap; fly sheet.
WordNet
  • a small loose advertising sheet; a handbill.
Webster 1913

Fly snapper

  • (Zoöl.), an American bird (Phainopepla nitens), allied to the chatterers and shrikes. The male is glossy blue-black; the female brownish gray.
Webster 1913

fly tent

  • noun a tent with a fly front
WordNet

fly the coop

  • verb flee; take to one's heels; cut and run
    lam; run; head for the hills; hightail it; bunk; run away; take to the woods; scarper; escape; break away; scat; turn tail.
    • If you see this man, run!
    • The burglars escaped before the police showed up
WordNet

Fly wheel

  • (Mach.), a heavy wheel attached to machinery to equalize the movement (opposing any sudden acceleration by its inertia and any retardation by its momentum), and to accumulate or give out energy for a variable or intermitting resistance. See Fly, n., 9.
Webster 1913

fly-bitten

Fly"-bit`ten adjective
Definitions
  1. Marked by, or as if by, the bite of flies. Shak.
Webster 1913

fly-by

  • noun a flight at a low altitude (usually of military aircraft) over spectators on the ground
    flypast; flyover.
WordNet

fly-by-night

  • noun a debtor who flees to avoid paying
  • adjective satellite (of businesses and businessmen) unscrupulous
    shady.
    • a shady operation
  • adjective satellite ephemeral
    • the symphony is no fly-by-night venture
WordNet

fly-case

Fly"-case` noun
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The covering of an insect, esp. the elytra of beetles.
Webster 1913

fly-catching

Fly"-catch`ing adjective
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Having the habit of catching insects on the wing.
Webster 1913

fly-fish

  • verb fish with flies as lures
    fly-fish; flyfish.
WordNet
Fly"-fish intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To angle, using flies for bait. Walton.
Webster 1913

fly-fishing

  • noun angling with an artificial fly as a lure
  • verb fish with flies as lures
    fly-fish; flyfish.
WordNet

flying bird

  • noun birds having keeled breastbones for attachment of flight muscles
    carinate bird; carinate.
WordNet

flying boat

  • noun a large seaplane that floats with its fuselage in the water rather than on pontoons
WordNet

flying bomb

  • noun a small jet-propelled winged missile that carries a bomb
    robot bomb; buzz bomb; doodlebug; V-1.
WordNet

flying bridge

  • noun the highest navigational bridge on a ship; a small (often open) deck above the pilot house
    fly bridge; monkey bridge; flybridge.
WordNet

flying buttress

  • noun a buttress that stands apart from the main structure and connected to it by an arch
    arc-boutant.
WordNet

flying carpet

  • noun (Asian folktale) an imaginary carpet that will fly people anywhere they wish to go
WordNet

flying cat

  • noun arboreal nocturnal mammal of southeast Asia and the Philippines resembling a lemur and having a fold of skin on each side from neck to tail that is used for long gliding leaps
    flying cat; colugo.
  • noun East Indian flying squirrel
    taguan; Petaurista petaurista; flying cat.
WordNet

flying colors

  • noun complete success
    flying colors.
    • they passed inspection with flying colors
WordNet

flying colours

  • noun complete success
    flying colors.
    • they passed inspection with flying colors
WordNet

flying dragon

  • noun any of several small tropical Asian lizards capable of gliding by spreading winglike membranes on each side of the body
    flying dragon; dragon.
WordNet

flying drainpipe

  • noun a simple type of jet engine; must be launched at high speed
    ramjet engine; ramjet; athodyd; atherodyde.
WordNet

flying dutchman

  • noun the captain of a phantom ship (the Flying Dutchman) who was condemned to sail against the wind until Judgment Day
  • noun a phantom ship that is said to appear in storms near the Cape of Good Hope
WordNet

flying field

  • noun a place where planes take off and land
    airfield; landing field; field.
WordNet

flying fish

  • noun tropical marine fishes having enlarged winglike fins used for brief gliding flight
WordNet
Fly"ing fish`
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A fish which is able to leap from the water, and fly a considerable distance by means of its large and long pectoral fins. These fishes belong to several species of the genus Exocoetus, and are found in the warmer parts of all the oceans.
Webster 1913

flying fox

  • noun large bat with a head that resembles the head of a fox
WordNet

flying gecko

  • noun a gecko that has membranous expansions along the sides of its body and limbs and tail that enable it to glide short distances
    Ptychozoon homalocephalum; fringed gecko.
WordNet

flying gurnard

  • noun tropical fish with huge fanlike pectoral fins for underwater gliding; unrelated to searobins
    flying gurnard; butterflyfish.
WordNet

flying jib

  • noun the outermost of two or more jibs
WordNet

flying lemur

  • noun arboreal nocturnal mammal of southeast Asia and the Philippines resembling a lemur and having a fold of skin on each side from neck to tail that is used for long gliding leaps
    flying cat; colugo.
WordNet

flying lizard

  • noun any of several small tropical Asian lizards capable of gliding by spreading winglike membranes on each side of the body
    flying dragon; dragon.
WordNet

flying mare

  • noun a wrestling maneuver
WordNet

flying marmot

  • noun East Indian flying squirrel
    taguan; Petaurista petaurista; flying cat.
WordNet

flying mouse

  • noun tiny flying phalanger
WordNet

flying opossum

  • noun nocturnal phalangers that move with gliding leaps using parachute-like folds of skin along the sides of the body
    flying phalanger; flying opossum.
WordNet

flying phalanger

  • noun nocturnal phalangers that move with gliding leaps using parachute-like folds of skin along the sides of the body
    flying phalanger; flying opossum.
WordNet

flying reptile

  • noun an extinct reptile of the Jurassic and Cretaceous having a bird-like beak and membranous wings supported by the very long fourth digit of each forelimb
    pterosaur.
WordNet

flying robin

  • noun tropical fish with huge fanlike pectoral fins for underwater gliding; unrelated to searobins
    flying gurnard; butterflyfish.
WordNet

flying saucer

  • noun an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins
    flying saucer; UFO.
WordNet

flying school

  • noun a school for teaching students to fly airplanes
WordNet

flying squad

  • noun a mobile group of trained people (police or executives or officials) able to move quickly in the case of emergencies
WordNet

flying squirrel

  • noun nocturnal phalangers that move with gliding leaps using parachute-like folds of skin along the sides of the body
    flying phalanger; flying opossum.
WordNet
Fly"ing squir"rel
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) One of a group of squirrels, of the genera Pteromus and Sciuropterus, having parachute-like folds of skin extending from the fore to the hind legs, which enable them to make very long leaps. ✍ The species of Pteromys are large, with bushy tails, and inhabit southern Asia and the East Indies; those of Sciuropterus are smaller, with flat tails, and inhabit the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America. The American species (Sciuropterus volucella) is also called Assapan. The Australian flying squrrels, or flying phalangers, are marsupials. See Flying phalanger (above).
Webster 1913

flying start

  • noun a racing start in which the contestants are already in full motion when they pass the starting line
    running start.
  • noun a quick and auspicious beginning
    running start.
WordNet

flying visit

  • noun a visit that last for only a very short time
    • he wanted to hear all about my flying visit to his old stamping grounds
WordNet

Forest fly

  • . (Zoöl.) (a) One of numerous species of blood-sucking flies, of the family Tabanidæ, which attack both men and beasts. See Horse fly. (b) A fly of the genus Hippobosca, esp. H. equina. See Horse tick.
Webster 1913

four-wing flying fish

  • noun having both pectoral and pelvic fins enlarged
    biplane flying fish.
WordNet

free-flying

  • adjective satellite able to fly through the air (as a bird)
    • three chicks were raised to the free-flying stage
WordNet

Frog fly

  • . (Zoöl.) See Frog hopper.
Webster 1913

Fruit fly

  • noun any of numerous small insects whose larvae feed on fruits
    fruit fly.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), a small dipterous insect of the genus Drosophila, which lives in fruit, in the larval state.
Webster 1913

golden-eyed fly

  • noun a variety of green lacewing
    goldeneye.
WordNet

Green fly

  • (Zoöl.), any green species of plant lice or aphids, esp. those that infest greenhouse plants.
Webster 1913

greenbottle fly

  • noun blowfly with brilliant coppery green body
    greenbottle.
WordNet

hanging fly

  • noun any of various mecopterous insects of the family Bittacidae
WordNet

Harpy fly

  • (Zoöl.), the house fly.
Webster 1913

Harvest fly

  • noun its distinctive song is heard during July and August
    dog-day cicada.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), an hemipterous insect of the genus Cicada, often called locust. See Cicada.
Webster 1913

Hawk fly

  • (Zoöl.), a voracious fly of the family Asilidæ. See Hornet fly, under Hornet.
Webster 1913

hemerobiid fly

  • noun small dark-colored lacewing fly
    hemerobiid; brown lacewing.
WordNet

Hessian fly

  • noun small fly whose larvae damage wheat and other grains
    Mayetiola destructor.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), a small dipterous fly or midge (Cecidomyia destructor). Its larvæ live between the base of the lower leaves and the stalk of wheat, and are very destructive to young wheat; so called from the erroneous idea that it was brought into America by the Hessian troops, during the Revolution.
Webster 1913

high-flown

  • adjective satellite pretentious (especially with regard to language or ideals)
    inflated; high-sounding.
    • high-flown talk of preserving the moral tone of the school
    • a high-sounding dissertation on the means to attain social revolution
  • adjective satellite of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
    idealistic; exalted; noble-minded; elevated; rarefied; rarified; grand; high-minded; sublime; lofty.
    • an exalted ideal
    • argue in terms of high-flown ideals"- Oliver Franks
    • a noble and lofty concept
    • a grand purpose
WordNet
High"-flown` adjective
Definitions
  1. Elevated; proud. "High-flown hopes." Denham.
  2. Turgid; extravagant; bombastic; inflated; as, high-flown language. M. Arnold.
Webster 1913

Hop fly

  • (Zoöl.), an aphid (Phorodon humuli), very injurious to hop vines.
Webster 1913

Hop froth fly

  • (Zoöl.), an hemipterous insect (Aphrophora interrupta), allied to the cockoo spits. It often does great damage to hop vines.
Webster 1913

horn fly

  • noun small black European fly introduced into North America; sucks blood from cattle especially at the base of the horn
    Haematobia irritans.
WordNet

Hornet fly

  • (Zoöl.), any dipterous insect of the genus Asilus, and allied genera, of which there are numerous species. They are large and fierce flies which capture bees and other insects, often larger than themselves, and suck their blood. Called also hawk fly, robber fly.
Webster 1913

horse fly

  • noun large swift fly the female of which sucks blood of various animals
    clegg; cleg; horsefly.
WordNet

House fly

  • noun common fly that frequents human habitations and spreads many diseases
    Musca domestica; housefly.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), a common fly (esp. Musca domestica), which infests houses both in Europe and America. Its larva is a maggot which lives in decaying substances or excrement, about sink drains, etc.
Webster 1913

Ichneumon fly

  • noun hymenopterous insect that resembles a wasp and whose larvae are parasitic on caterpillars and other insect larvae
WordNet
  • . See Ichneumon, 2.
Webster 1913

instrument flying

  • noun navigation of an airplane solely by instruments
WordNet

lacewing fly

  • noun any of two families of insects with gauzy wings (Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae); larvae feed on insect pests such as aphids
    lacewing.
WordNet

Lake fly

  • (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of dipterous flies of the genus Chironomus. In form they resemble mosquitoes, but they do not bite. The larvæ live in lakes.
Webster 1913

lantern fly

  • noun large brightly marked tropical insect with a process like a snout that was formerly thought to emit light
    lantern fly.
WordNet

Lantern fly, Lantern carrier

  • (Zoöl.), any one of several species of large, handsome, hemipterous insects of the genera Laternaria, Fulgora, and allies, of the family Fulgoridæ. The largest species is Laternaria phosphorea of Brazil. The head of some species has been supposed to be phosphorescent.
Webster 1913

lantern-fly

  • noun large brightly marked tropical insect with a process like a snout that was formerly thought to emit light
    lantern fly.
WordNet

let fly

  • verb fire as from a gun
    loose off; let drive.
    • The soldiers let drive their bullets
WordNet

long fly

  • noun a gymnastic exercise involving a long leap from a vaulting horse
WordNet

Louse fly

  • noun bloodsucking dipterous fly parasitic on birds and mammals
    hippoboscid.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), a parasitic dipterous insect of the group Pupipara. Some of them are wingless, as the bee louse.
Webster 1913

May fly

  • (Zoöl.), any species of Ephemera, and allied genera; so called because the mature flies of many species appear in May. See Ephemeral fly, under Ephemeral.
Webster 1913

Meat fly

  • . (Zoöl.) See Flesh fly, under Flesh.
Webster 1913

mediterranean fruit fly

  • noun small black-and-white fly that damages citrus and other fruits by implanting eggs that hatch inside the fruit
    Ceratitis capitata; medfly.
WordNet

monoplane flying fish

  • noun having only pectoral fins enlarged
    monoplane flying fish.
WordNet

Negro fly

  • (Zoöl.), a black dipterous fly (Psila rosæ) which, in the larval state, is injurious to carrots; called also carrot fly.
Webster 1913

Night flyer

  • (Zoöl.), any creature that flies in the night, as some birds and insects.
Webster 1913

northern flying squirrel

  • noun large flying squirrel; chiefly of Canada
    Glaucomys sabrinus.
WordNet

On the fly

  • adverb on the run or in a hurry
    • she wrote those letters on the fly
WordNet
  • (Baseball), still in the air; said of a batted ball caught before touching the ground. (b) at the moment needed, without prior preparation. said of objects created as needed in the course of some activity, rather than having been prepared before the activity began. A term Much used in computer programming. (c) busy; in motion..
Webster 1913

Onion fly

  • (Zoöl.) a dipterous insect whose larva feeds upon the onion; especially, Anthomyia ceparum and Ortalis flexa.
Webster 1913

pass with flying colors

  • verb succeed at easily
    sweep through; ace; nail; sail through; breeze through.
    • She sailed through her exams
    • You will pass with flying colors
    • She nailed her astrophysics course
WordNet

pomace fly

  • noun any of numerous small insects whose larvae feed on fruits
    fruit fly.
WordNet

pop fly

  • noun a short high fly ball
    pop fly; pop-up.
WordNet

pop-fly

  • noun a short high fly ball
    pop fly; pop-up.
WordNet

Potato fly

  • (Zoöl.), any one of several species of blister beetles infesting the potato vine. The black species (Lytta atrata), the striped (L. vittata), and the gray (L. cinerea, ∨ Fabricii) are the most common. See Blister beetle, under Blister.
Webster 1913

Radish fly

  • (Zoöl.), a small two-winged fly (Anthomyia raphani) whose larvæ burrow in radishes. It resembles the onion fly.
Webster 1913

Robber fly

  • noun swift predatory fly having a strong body like a bee with the proboscis hardened for sucking juices of other insects captured on the wing
    bee killer.
WordNet
  • . (Zoöl.) Same as Hornet fly, under Hornet.
Webster 1913

Rose fly

  • (Zoöl.), a rose betle, or rose chafer.
Webster 1913

sacrifice fly

  • noun a sacrifice made by hitting a long fly ball
WordNet

Sand fly

  • noun any of various small dipterous flies; bloodsucking females can transmit sandfly fever and leishmaniasis
    Phlebotomus papatasii; sandfly.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), any one of several species of small dipterous flies of the genus Simulium, abounding on sandy shores, especially Simulium nocivum of the United States. They are very troublesome on account of their biting habits. Called also no-see-um, punky, and midge.
Webster 1913

Scorpion fly

  • noun any of various mecopterous insects of the family Panorpidae of the northern hemisphere having a long beak and long antennae; males have a tail like that of a scorpion except it is not venomous
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), a neuropterous insect of the genus Panorpa. See Panorpid.
Webster 1913

shoo fly

  • noun coarse South American herb grown for its blue-and-white flowers followed by a bladderlike fruit enclosing a dry berry
    apple of Peru; Nicandra physaloides.
WordNet

Smother fly

  • (Zoöl.), an aphid.
Webster 1913

Snake fly

  • (Zoöl.), any one of several species of neuropterous insects of the genus Rhaphidia; so called because of their large head and elongated neck and prothorax.
Webster 1913

Snow fly, ∨ Snow insect

  • (Zoöl.), any one of several species of neuropterous insects of the genus Boreus. The male has rudimentary wings; the female is wingless. These insects sometimes appear creeping and leaping on the snow in great numbers.
Webster 1913

Soldier fly

  • (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small dipterous flies of the genus Stratyomys and allied genera. They are often bright green, with a metallic luster, and are ornamented on the sides of the back with markings of yellow, like epaulets or shoulder straps.
Webster 1913

southern flying squirrel

  • noun small large-eyed nocturnal flying squirrel of eastern United States
    Glaucomys volans.
WordNet

Spanish fly

  • noun green beetle of southern Europe
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), a brilliant green beetle, common in the south of Europe, used for raising blisters. See Blister beetle under Blister, and Cantharis.
Webster 1913

Sphex fly

  • (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small dipterous flies of the genus Conops and allied genera. The form of the body is similar to that of a sphex.
Webster 1913

Spider fly

  • (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of parasitic dipterous insects of the family Hippoboscidæ. They are mostly destitute of wings, and live among the feathers of birds and the hair of bats. Called also bird tick, and bat tick.
Webster 1913

Spring fly

  • (Zoöl.), a caddice fly; so called because it appears in the spring.
Webster 1913

Stable fly

  • (Zoöl.), a common dipterous fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) which is abundant about stables and often enters dwellings, especially in autumn. These files, unlike the common house files, which they resemble, bite severely, and are troublesome to horses and cattle.
Webster 1913

stink fly

  • noun pale green unpleasant-smelling lacewing fly having carnivorous larvae
    chrysopid; green lacewing.
WordNet

Stone fly

  • noun primitive winged insect with a flattened body; used as bait by fishermen; aquatic gilled larvae are carnivorous and live beneath stones
    plecopteran; stonefly.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), any one of many species of pseudoneuropterous insects of the genus Perla and allied genera; a perlid. They are often used by anglers for bait. The larvæ are aquatic.
Webster 1913

streamer fly

  • noun an artificial fly that has wings extending back beyond the crook of the fishhook
WordNet

stunt flying

  • noun the performance of stunts while in flight in an aircraft
    aerobatics; acrobatics; stunting.
WordNet

swamp fly honeysuckle

  • noun a variety of fly honeysuckle
WordNet

syrphus fly

Syr"phus fly`
Etymology
NL. Syrphus, the generic name, fr. Gr. , , a kind of winged insect.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of dipterous flies of the genus Syrphus and allied genera. They are usually bright-colored, with yellow bands, and hover around plants. The larvæ feed upon plant lice, and are, therefore, very beneficial to agriculture.
Webster 1913

tachina fly

  • noun bristly fly whose larvae live parasitically in caterpillars and other insects; important in control of noxious insects
WordNet

Telescope fly

  • (Zoöl.), any two-winged fly of the genus Diopsis, native of Africa and Asia. The telescope flies are remarkable for having the eyes raised on very long stalks.
Webster 1913

tent-fly

  • noun flap consisting of a piece of canvas that can be drawn back to provide entrance to a tent
    fly; rainfly; tent flap; fly sheet.
WordNet

test fly

  • verb test a plane
WordNet

To come off with flying colors

  • to be victorious; to succeed thoroughly in an undertaking.
Webster 1913

To dub a fly

  • to dress a fishing fly. Prov. Eng. Halliwell.
Webster 1913

To fly a kite

  • (Com.), to raise money on commercial notes. Cant or Slang
Webster 1913

To fly about

  • (Naut.), to change frequently in a short time; said of the wind.
Webster 1913

To fly around

  • to move about in haste. Colloq.
Webster 1913

To fly at

  • to spring toward; to rush on; to attack suddenly.
Webster 1913

To fly in the face of

  • to defy; to brave; to withstand.
  • to insult; to assail; to set at defiance; to oppose with violence; to act in direct opposition to; to resist.
Webster 1913

To fly off

  • to separate, or become detached suddenly; to revolt.
Webster 1913

To fly on

  • to attack.
Webster 1913

To fly open

  • to open suddenly, or with violence.
Webster 1913

To fly out

  • . (a) To rush out. (b) To burst into a passion; to break out into license.
Webster 1913

To let drive ∨ fly

  • to discharge with violence, as a blow, an arrow, or stone. See under Drive, and Fly.
Webster 1913

To let fly

  • . (a) To throw or drive with violence; to discharge. "A man lets fly his arrow without taking any aim." Addison. (b) (Naut.) To let go suddenly and entirely; as, to let fly the sheets.
Webster 1913

To set flying

  • (Naut.), to hook to halyards, sheets, etc., instead of extending with rings or the like on a stay; said of a sail.
Webster 1913

Trencher fly

  • a person who haunts the tables of others; a parasite. R. L'Estrange.
Webster 1913

Trumpet fly

  • (Zoöl.), a botfly.
Webster 1913

tsetse fly

  • noun bloodsucking African fly; transmits sleeping sickness etc.
    tzetze; glossina; tsetse fly; tsetse.
WordNet

Turnip fly

  • . (Zoöl.) (a) The turnip flea. (b) A two-winged fly (Anthomyia radicum) whose larvæ live in the turnip root.
Webster 1913

two-wing flying fish

  • noun having only pectoral fins enlarged
    monoplane flying fish.
WordNet

tzetze fly

  • noun bloodsucking African fly; transmits sleeping sickness etc.
    tzetze; glossina; tsetse fly; tsetse.
WordNet

unidentified flying object

  • noun an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins
    flying saucer; UFO.
WordNet

vinegar fly

  • noun flies whose larvae feed on pickles and imperfectly sealed preserves
WordNet

warble fly

  • noun hairy bee-like fly whose larvae produce lumpy abscesses (warbles) under the skin of cattle
WordNet

warega fly

Wa*re"ga fly`
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A Brazilian fly whose larvæ live in the skin of man and animals, producing painful sores.
Webster 1913

Wasp fly

  • a species of fly resembling a wasp, but without a sting.
Webster 1913

wet fly

  • noun fisherman's fly that floats under the surface of the water
WordNet

Wheat fly

  • . (Zoöl.) Same as Wheat midge, below.
Webster 1913

Willow fly

  • (Zoöl.), a greenish European stone fly (Chloroperla viridis); called also yellow Sally.
Webster 1913

Wine fly

  • (Zoöl.), small two-winged fly of the genus Piophila, whose larva lives in wine, cider, and other fermented liquors.
Webster 1913