fly2

 
Pronunciation: /flʌɪ/

noun (plural flies)

  • a flying insect of a large order characterized by a single pair of transparent wings and sucking (and often also piercing) mouthparts. Flies are of great importance as vectors of disease. See also Diptera.
    • Order Diptera: numerous families
  • [usually in combination] used in names of flying insects of other orders, e.g. butterfly, dragonfly, firefly.
  • [mass noun] an infestation of flying insects on a plant or animal: cattle to be treated for warble fly
  • a natural or artificial flying insect used as bait in fishing, especially a mayfly.

Phrases

die (or drop) like flies

die or collapse in large numbers.

drink with the flies

Australian/NZ drink alone.

a fly in the ointment

a minor irritation that spoils the success or enjoyment of something.

fly on the wall

an unnoticed observer of a particular situation.
[as modifier] denoting a film-making technique whereby events are recorded realistically with minimum interference rather than acted out under direction: a fly-on-the-wall documentary

like a blue-arsed fly

British vulgar slang in an extremely hectic or frantic way.

(there are) no flies on ——

used to emphasize a person’s cleverness and astuteness: no flies on Phyllis—she paid six months in advance

wouldn't hurt (or harm) a fly

used to emphasize how inoffensive and harmless a person or animal is.

Origin:

Old English flȳge, flēoge, denoting any winged insect, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch vlieg and German Fliege, also to fly1