intransitive. To fly up quickly and suddenly; to start up and fly away. †Also, to flutter, to fly with fluttering wings. transferred. Of a door…

Of birds: To fly or mount upwards; to ascend to a towering height; also loosely, to sail or skim at a great height. Occasionally with up.

In a few expressions, as the bird isor has flown (chiefly figurative: see bird, n. phrases 5a), to let (a bird) fly, the simple vb. is used = ‘fly…

intransitive. Of birds, etc.: To flit about, to fly with low or short flights; to flutter. Also with by.

esp. Of a bird or other winged creature: To fly lightly and swiftly; also, to make short and swift flights, to flutter.

intransitive. To fly low; to flit, flutter about.

intransitive. To move with a jerk or spring; to spring, dart. Of a winged creature: To take short quick flights. Also with about, away, up.

intransitive. To flutter.

Of a bird, winged insect: To pass by flying. Obsolete.

to take to wing (to take to —— 1a at take, v. phrasal verbs 2): = sense 1b ? Obsolete.

intransitive. To move with a rustling motion; to flutter. Also with out.

Of a bird, etc.: to take flight, begin flying.

intransitive. To fly with a sweeping or whirling motion.