To let fly

To let fly
Fly Fly (fl[imac]), v. i. [imp. {Flew} (fl[=u]); p. p. {Flown} (fl[=o]n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Flying}.] [OE. fleen, fleen, fleyen, flegen, AS. fle['o]gan; akin to D. vliegen, OHG. fliogan, G. fliegen, Icel. flj[=u]ga, Sw. flyga, Dan. flyve, Goth. us-flaugjan to cause to fly away, blow about, and perh. to L. pluma feather, E. plume. [root]84. Cf. {Fledge}, {Flight}, {Flock} of animals.] 1. To move in or pass through the air with wings, as a bird.

2. To move through the air or before the wind; esp., to pass or be driven rapidly through the air by any impulse. [1913 Webster]

3. To float, wave, or rise in the air, as sparks or a flag. [1913 Webster]

Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. --Job v. 7. [1913 Webster]

4. To move or pass swiftly; to hasten away; to circulate rapidly; as, a ship flies on the deep; a top flies around; rumor flies. [1913 Webster]

Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

The dark waves murmured as the ships flew on. --Bryant. [1913 Webster]

5. To run from danger; to attempt to escape; to flee; as, an enemy or a coward flies. See Note under {Flee}. [1913 Webster]

Fly, ere evil intercept thy flight. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Whither shall I fly to escape their hands ? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly or swiftly; -- usually with a qualifying word; as, a door flies open; a bomb flies apart. [1913 Webster]

{To fly about} (Naut.), to change frequently in a short time; -- said of the wind.

{To fly around}, to move about in haste. [Colloq.]

{To fly at}, to spring toward; to rush on; to attack suddenly.

{To fly in the face of}, to insult; to assail; to set at defiance; to oppose with violence; to act in direct opposition to; to resist.

{To fly off}, to separate, or become detached suddenly; to revolt.

{To fly on}, to attack.

{To fly open}, to open suddenly, or with violence.

{To fly out}. (a) To rush out. (b) To burst into a passion; to break out into license.

{To let fly}. (a) To throw or drive with violence; to discharge. ``A man lets fly his arrow without taking any aim.'' --Addison. (b) (Naut.) To let go suddenly and entirely; as, to let fly the sheets. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • let fly (with) (something) — 1. to throw something or shoot something from a weapon. Police officers let fly canisters of tear gas. The guy in the leather jacket was leaping over the counter when I let fly with a soda bottle. 2. to express yourself in a way that will excite… …   New idioms dictionary

  • let fly something — let fly (something) to start shouting angrily. I was so angry I let fly at them as soon as they came in. (sometimes + at) Gripping the arms of his chair, he let fly a barrage of offensive comments …   New idioms dictionary

  • let fly — (something) to start shouting angrily. I was so angry I let fly at them as soon as they came in. (sometimes + at) Gripping the arms of his chair, he let fly a barrage of offensive comments …   New idioms dictionary

  • let fly (at somebody) (with something) — let ˈfly (at sb/sth) (with sth) idiom to attack sb by hitting them or speaking angrily to them • He let fly at me with his fist. • She let fly with a stream of abuse. Main entry: ↑flyidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • let fly (at something) (with something) — let ˈfly (at sb/sth) (with sth) idiom to attack sb by hitting them or speaking angrily to them • He let fly at me with his fist. • She let fly with a stream of abuse. Main entry: ↑flyidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • let fly — ► let fly attack physically or verbally. Main Entry: ↑let …   English terms dictionary

  • let fly — index precipitate (throw down violently), project (impel forward) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • let fly. — See let. → fly …   Useful english dictionary

  • let fly — verb fire as from a gun (Freq. 1) The soldiers let drive their bullets • Syn: ↑loose off, ↑let drive • Hypernyms: ↑fire, ↑discharge • Verb Frames …   Useful english dictionary

  • let fly — 1) to shoot or throw something We waited until the enemy was within range and then let fly. 2) to criticize someone angrily let fly at: The teacher really let fly at Jeff …   English dictionary

  • let fly — 1) he let fly with a brick Syn: hurl, fling, throw, propel, pitch, lob, toss, launch; shoot, fire, blast; informal chuck, sling, heave 2) she let fly at Geoffrey Syn …   Thesaurus of popular words

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