fly*/*/*/

[flaɪ] (past tense flew [fluː] ; past participle flown [fləʊn] ) verb I

1) to use wings to move through the air

Not all insects can fly.[/ex]

2) [I] to travel on a plane

Sometimes it's cheaper to fly.[/ex]

I flew from London to Amsterdam.[/ex]

We flew into Heathrow on Monday evening.[/ex]

3) [T] to take people or goods somewhere on a plane

They flew her home for urgent medical treatment.[/ex]

Helicopters are being used to fly in supplies.[/ex]

4) [I/T] to control a plane when it is in the air

He had always wanted to learn to fly.[/ex]

The pilots refused to fly the planes in icy conditions.[/ex]

5) [I] to move very fast through the air

A bullet flew past his head.[/ex]

6) [I] to move suddenly or quickly

The door flew open and the head teacher marched in.[/ex]

7) [I] if time flies, it seems to pass very quickly

8) [I/T] if you fly a flag, or if it is flying, it is on the top of a pole or building

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fly in the face of sth — to be completely opposite to something that most people believe or accept[/ex]

[i]This behaviour flies in the face of all the ideals we've worked towards.[/ex]

fly into a rage — to suddenly become extremely angry[/ex]

go flying — informal to move quickly through the air and fall to the ground[/ex]

I tripped over a tree root and went flying.[/ex]

II

(plural flies) noun [C]

fly [flaɪ]

a common small insect with wings

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dropping like flies — informal getting ill or dying in large numbers very quickly[/ex]

on the fly — in a very quick and informal way[/ex]

sb wouldn't hurt a fly — spoken used for saying that someone is very gentle and kind[/ex]