fling

[ fling ]

/ flɪŋ /

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See synonyms for: fling / flung on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), flung

[fluhng], /flʌŋ/, fling·ing.

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.

verb (used without object), flung

[fluhng], /flʌŋ/, fling·ing.

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.

noun

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.

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Origin of fling

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; compare Swedish flänga “to fly, race”

OTHER WORDS FROM fling

outfling, verb (used with object), out·flung, out·fling·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fling in a sentence

In addition, Romney better watch it, flinging the tax-increase charge.
Michael Tomasky on Obama’s Swing-Voter Victory|Michael Tomasky|June 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“He was flinging red-meat answers intending to fire up the crowd,” Williams told me.
Juan Williams Brushes Off the Boos|Howard Kurtz|January 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Then the croupier tears open two packets of new cards, flinging the old ones into a waste-paper basket at his side.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
On rolled the wave of blue, catching and flinging back hundreds of the fleeing Confederates.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn

It is as much as I can do to prevent myself flinging my arms round the old shop-woman's neck and kissing her flabby cheeks.
Marguerite|Anatole France
"I am more at ease without it," said the boy, flinging the velvet square angrily across the room.
The Dragon Painter|Mary McNeil Fenollosa
In the midst of its heaving waters he quickly arose flinging his long arms wildly about, and shouting for help with bubbling cry.
Hunted and Harried|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for fling

fling

/ (flɪŋ) /

verb flings, flinging or flung (flʌŋ) (mainly tr)

to throw, esp with force or abandon; hurl or toss

to put or send without warning or preparationto fling someone into jail

(also intr) to move (oneself or a part of the body) with abandon or speedhe flung himself into a chair

(usually foll by into) to apply (oneself) diligently and with vigour (to)

to cast aside; disregardshe flung away her scruples

to utter violently or offensively

poetic to give out; emit

noun

the act or an instance of flinging; toss; throw

a period or occasion of unrestrained, impulsive, or extravagant behaviourto have a fling

any of various vigorous Scottish reels full of leaps and turns, such as the Highland fling

a trial; tryto have a fling at something different

Derived forms of fling

flinger, noun

Word Origin for fling

C13: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse flengja to flog, Swedish flänga, Danish flænge

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

fling

In addition to the idiom beginning with fling

fling oneself at someone

also see:

last fling

fling

Origin of fling

OTHER WORDS FROM fling

Words related to fling

How to use fling in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fling

Derived forms of fling

Word Origin for fling

Other Idioms and Phrases with fling