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fly swatter

American  
Or fly-swatter,

noun

  1. a device for killing flies, mosquitoes, and other insects, usually a square sheet of wire mesh attached to a long handle.


Etymology

Origin of fly swatter

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Especially the electronic fly swatter, encased in plastic.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 31, 2023

Additionally, you can use clear fly traps to capture the bugs who hang out in your windows, and when in doubt, a fly swatter will do the trick — you just have to be quick!

From Salon May 10, 2022

As one Ukrainian air defence officer told the BBC, it is like trying to use a giant fly swatter which had large holes in it.

From BBC Apr. 14, 2022

Would they sip a favorite soup if it had been stirred by a used but “thoroughly washed” fly swatter?

From New York Times Dec. 27, 2021

Enthroned there under his hat, he observed our household through his un-glasses and swished the animal-tail fly swatter that denoted his station in life.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

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