fly

Everyday

1. To fly is to move through the air with wings, like a bird, an insect or a plane. tree →
2. To fly is to travel by plane, or to make a kite, plane or drone move in the air. tree →
3. A fly is a small insect with two wings, like a housefly. tree →
4. A flag flies when it is up on a pole. tree →
5. Time flies when it passes very quickly. tree →
6. The fly on trousers is the opening with a zip. tree →

In the lessons

In school maths: an action with distance, speed and time (a plane flies 500 km an hour); birds that fly away leave the group, birds that fly in join it; flies can be counted. In science: birds, bats and insects fly; flies have 6 legs; how planes stay up. In everyday life: flying to see family, flying a kite. Phrases: «fly away», «fly a kite», «time flies», «on the fly», «wouldn't hurt a fly» (is very gentle).

Examples

• A plane flies 300 miles in an hour. tree →
• 6 birds fly away from the tree. tree →
• 4 more birds fly in. tree →
• A frog catches 12 flies. tree →
• We flew to Dublin to see my cousins. tree →
• Let's fly my kite on the hill. tree →
• A fly has 6 legs like all insects. tree →
• Time flies when you're having fun! tree →
• “Shall we swim or fly, Peter?” tree →

Note

Past «flew», past participle «flown»; he/she «flies». Plural of the insect «flies». Maths: «fly away» takes away from a group, «fly in» adds. With «per hour» it is a speed: distance = speed × time. Trap: a fly is an insect with 6 legs, but a spider is not.

In Jewish tradition

It means birds flying and the insects in the plague of swarms against Egypt.

Interpretation. The swarms of flies are read as one of the ten plagues. Tradition says they made Pharaoh begin to give in.

Examples

• And God said: 'Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let fowl fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.' (Torah GEN.1.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. (Torah EXO.8.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD did so; and there came grievous swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses; and in all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by reason of the swarms of flies. (Torah EXO.8.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• But man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. (Writings JOB.5.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats in all their borders. (Writings PSA.105.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then again I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold a flying roll. (Prophets ZEC.5.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past «flew», past participle «flown»; he/she «flies». Plural of the insect «flies». Maths: «fly away» takes away from a group, «fly in» adds. With «per hour» it is a speed: distance = speed × time. Trap: a fly is an insect with 6 legs, but a spider is not.