- 1[transitive] flick something + adv./prep. to hit something with a sudden quick movement, especially using your finger and thumb together, or your hand She flicked the dust off her collar. The horse was flicking flies away with its tail. James flicked a peanut at her. Please don't flick ash on the carpet! The striker flicked the ball into the back of the net. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbcasually, nervously, quickly, … prepositionacross, from, off, … phrasesflick something open adverbabsent-mindedly, casually, idly, … See full entry
- 2[intransitive, transitive] to move or make something move with sudden quick movements + adv./prep. The snake's tongue flicked out. Her eyes flicked from face to face. flick something (+ adv./prep.) He lifted his head, flicking his hair off his face. The horse moved off, flicking its tail. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbcasually, nervously, quickly, … prepositionacross, from, off, … phrasesflick something open adverbabsent-mindedly, casually, idly, … See full entry
- 3[transitive] to smile or look at somebody suddenly and quickly flick a smile/look, etc. at somebody She flicked a nervous glance at him. flick somebody a smile/look, etc. She flicked him a nervous glance.
- 4[transitive] to press a button or switch quickly in order to turn a machine, etc. on or off synonym flip flick something He flicked a switch and all the lights went out. flick something on/off She flicked the TV on.
- 5[transitive] to move something up and down with a sudden movement so that the end of it hits something flick A (with B) He flicked me with a wet towel. flick B (at A) He flicked a wet towel at me. to flick a whip
- 6[intransitive, transitive] flick (something) to move your finger quickly across the screen of an electronic device such as a mobile/cell phone or small computer in order to move text, pictures, etc. Flick to the next photo and pinch to zoom in or out. She flicked the screen and searched through her emails. compare pinch (3), swipe (4), tap (1) Word Originlate Middle English: symbolic, fl- frequently beginning words denoting sudden movement.Extra examples He casually flicked away some dust from his jacket. His eyes flicked quickly over the screen. His tongue flicked nervously across dry lips. She flicked idly through a magazine. She flicked the ash off her cigarette. She snatched up her briefcase and flicked it open. Phrasal Verbsflick through
flick
verbBrE BrE//flɪk//; NAmE NAmE//flɪk//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they flick BrE BrE//flɪk//; NAmE NAmE//flɪk//
he / she / it flicks BrE BrE//flɪks//; NAmE NAmE//flɪks//
past simple flicked BrE BrE//flɪkt//; NAmE NAmE//flɪkt//
past participle flicked BrE BrE//flɪkt//; NAmE NAmE//flɪkt//
-ing form flicking BrE BrE//ˈflɪkɪŋ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈflɪkɪŋ//
Check pronunciation: flick
