Phrases & Expressions

To leave a place in a vehicle.

• He drove off without a word.
• They drove off into the sunset.

To become equal or steady, or to make something so.

• Workloads should even out next month.
• Mix the paint well to even out the colour.

A spoken phrase used to tell someone they can start asking questions.

• You have questions? Fire away!
• I'm ready — fire away.

To signal to a vehicle or person to stop, often by waving your hand.

• We tried to flag down a taxi outside the station.
• We had to flag down a bus.

To switch off a light or machine quickly by pressing a switch.

• He flicked off the light and went to bed.
• Don't forget to flick off the TV before you leave.

To quickly switch on a light or device by moving a small switch.

• He flicked on the light as he entered the room.
• She flicked on the radio to hear the news.

To turn the pages of a book or magazine quickly without reading carefully.

• She flicked through the magazine while she waited.
• I flicked through the report quickly before the meeting started.

For information or objects to move around without a clear purpose or owner.

• Rumours about the merger have been floating around.
• There are old papers floating around the office.

For time to pass very quickly.

• The holiday flew by too quickly.
• The years fly by once you have children.

To leave a place by flying.

• The bird flew off when it saw the cat.
• The pigeons flew off as soon as the children ran towards them.