flick

views updated May 21 2018

flick / flik/ • n. 1. a sudden sharp movement: the flick of a switch a flick of the wrist. ∎  the sudden release of a bent finger or thumb, esp. to propel a small object: he sent his cigarette spinning away with a flick of his fingers. ∎  a light, sharp, quickly retracted blow, esp. with a whip.2. inf. a motion picture: a Hollywood action flick. ∎  (the flicks) chiefly Brit. the movies: fancy a night at the flicks?• v. [tr.] propel (something) with a sudden sharp movement, esp. of the fingers: Emily flicked some ash off her sleeve. ∎  (flick something on/off) turn something electrical on or off by means of a switch: he flicked on the air conditioning. ∎  [intr.] make a sudden sharp movement: the finch's tail flicks up and down. ∎  [tr.] move (a whip) so as to strike.PHRASAL VERBS: flick throughanother way of saying flip through (see flip).

flick

views updated Jun 08 2018

flick slight blow as with the end or tip of something. XV. imit.
Hence vb. XIX.

Flick

views updated May 18 2018

Flick

rabbits or hares collectively, 1887.