flick

verb

/flɪk/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they flick	/flɪk/ /flɪk/
he / she / it flicks	/flɪks/ /flɪks/
past simple flicked	/flɪkt/ /flɪkt/
past participle flicked	/flɪkt/ /flɪkt/
-ing form flicking	/ˈflɪkɪŋ/ /ˈflɪkɪŋ/

Phrasal Verbs

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[transitive] flick something + adv./prep. to hit something lightly 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.
- She snatched up her briefcase and flicked it open.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- casually
- nervously
- quickly
- …
preposition
- across
- from
- off
- …
phrases
- flick something open
adverb
- absent-mindedly
- casually
- idly
- …
See full entry
[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.
Extra Examples
- His eyes flicked quickly over the screen.
- His tongue flicked nervously across dry lips.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- casually
- nervously
- quickly
- …
preposition
- across
- from
- off
- …
phrases
- flick something open
adverb
- absent-mindedly
- casually
- idly
- …
See full entry
[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.
[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.
[transitive] to move something up and down with a sudden movement so that the end of it hits somebody/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
[intransitive, transitive] flick (something) to move your finger quickly across the screen of an electronic device such as a mobile 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.

flick

noun

/flɪk/

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[countable, usually singular] a small sudden, quick movement or hit, for example with a whip or part of the body
- Bell's flick into the penalty area helped to create the goal.
- All this information is available at the flick of a switch (= by simply turning on a machine).
- He threw the ball back with a quick flick of the wrist.
- The fish gave a quick flick of its tail.
- With a flick of his wrist he removed the ash from the end of his cigarette.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- quick
- deft
verb + flick
- give (something)
preposition
- with a flick
- flick of
phrases
- at the flick of a switch
See full entry
[singular] a flick through something (especially British English) a quick look through a book, magazine, website, etc. synonym flip
- I had a flick through the catalogue while I was waiting.
[countable] (old-fashioned, informal) a film see also chick flick
the flicks
[plural] (old-fashioned, British English, informal) the cinema

Word Originlate Middle English: symbolic, fl- frequently beginning words denoting sudden movement.