fling
to throw, cast, or hurl with force or violence: to fling a stone.
to move (oneself) violently with impatience, contempt, or the like: She flung herself angrily from the room.
to put suddenly or violently: to fling a suspect into jail.
to project or speak sharply, curtly, or forcefully: He flung his answer at the questioner.
to involve (oneself) vigorously in an undertaking.
to move, do, or say (something) quickly: to fling a greeting in passing.
to send suddenly and rapidly: to fling fresh troops into a battle.
to throw aside or off.
to throw to the ground, as in wrestling or horseback riding.
to move with haste or violence; rush; dash.
to fly into violent and irregular motions, as a horse; throw the body about, as a person.
to speak harshly or abusively (usually followed by out): He flung out disgustedly against the whole human race.
an act of flinging.
a short period of unrestrained pursuit of one's wishes or desires: The week of partying was my last fling before starting a new job.
an attempt at something: He took a fling at playwriting.
a critical or contemptuous remark; gibe.
Also called Highland fling. a lively Scottish dance characterized by flinging movements of the arms and legs.
Origin of fling
1Other words from fling
- outfling, verb (used with object), out·flung, out·fling·ing.
Words Nearby fling
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use fling in a sentence
She was remarkably nice, and by the time she admitted that she—in an effort to impress us—had watched Spikeball tutorials prior to coming, I knew it was more than a fling.
I didn’t have to wonder if he saw me as a fling or if he was ready for a serious girlfriend.
Bridal Bliss: Courtney And Torrey Said “I Do” In A Stunning Fourth of July Fête | Victoria Uwumarogie | July 14, 2021 | Essence.comIn the 1990s, a team at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island built a 50-foot-wide ring to fling muons around and began collecting data.
‘Last Hope’ Experiment Finds Evidence for Unknown Particles | Natalie Wolchover | April 7, 2021 | Quanta MagazineShe’d had on-trail romances before, and Constantine, she thought, was funny and handsome enough for a rebound fling—some “trail tail,” she kids.
What It’s Like to Fall in Love on a Long Hike | Grayson Haver Currin | February 13, 2021 | Outside OnlineWhether he’s rushing into a fling or trying to escape a heartbreak, time never seems to be moving fast enough.
Morgan Wallen’s big moment feels about 19 songs too long | Chris Richards | January 14, 2021 | Washington Post
The protection will last as long as Winston can still fling the ball 50 yards downfield to a streaking wide receiver.
Jameis Winston Cleared of Rape Like Every Other College Sports Star | Robert Silverman | December 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTDid you and Christian Slater have a romantic fling on True Romance?
Patricia Arquette Uncut: Drunken Mischief with Johnny Depp, ‘True Romance’ Crush, and ‘Boyhood’ | Marlow Stern | July 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWill she have a terrible relapse and turn to her pal/sometime fling Vause for help?
‘Orange Is the New Black’: Inside the Wild S2 Finale and What’s Next for Season 3 | Kevin Fallon, Marlow Stern | July 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTRemember, the people surveyed have already signed up for a fling.
Japan’s Desperate Housewives Opting for Adulterous Online Dating | Angela Erika Kubo, Jake Adelstein | April 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut this time, we were looking for more than just a couple of great dates or a fling.
Best Cities to Find Love and Stay in Love | Brandy Zadrozny, Rachel Bronstein | February 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen I come home from the lessons I fling myself on the sofa, and feel as if I never wanted to get up again.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayAt sight of this generous enemy, this faithful friend, how could he restrain the grateful impulse to fling himself into his arms!
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterHoney-Bee was too proper to fling hers up also, so taking off the shoe that wouldn't stay on she threw it joyfully over her head.
Honey-Bee | Anatole FranceThis, with contemptuous indignation, we fling back into their face, as a scorpion to a vulture.
Without uttering a word, I pick up the heavy saltcellar, and fling it violently against the French mirror.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist | Alexander Berkman
British Dictionary definitions for fling
/ (flɪŋ) /
to throw, esp with force or abandon; hurl or toss
to put or send without warning or preparation: to fling someone into jail
(also intr) to move (oneself or a part of the body) with abandon or speed: he flung himself into a chair
(usually foll by into) to apply (oneself) diligently and with vigour (to)
to cast aside; disregard: she flung away her scruples
to utter violently or offensively
poetic to give out; emit
the act or an instance of flinging; toss; throw
a period or occasion of unrestrained, impulsive, or extravagant behaviour: to have a fling
any of various vigorous Scottish reels full of leaps and turns, such as the Highland fling
a trial; try: to have a fling at something different
Origin of fling
1Derived forms of fling
- flinger, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with fling
In addition to the idiom beginning with fling
- fling oneself at someone
also see:
- last fling
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse