(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If something ~s in a particular direction, or if someone ~s it, it moves with a short, sudden movement.
His tongue ~ed across his lips...
He ~ed his cigarette out of the window.
VERB: V prep/adv, V n prep/adv, also V, V n
•
Flick is also a noun.
...a ~ of a paintbrush.
N-COUNT: oft a N of n
2.
If you ~ something away, or off something else, you remove it with a quick movement of your hand or finger.
Shirley ~ed a speck of fluff from the sleeve of her black suit...
Alan stretched out his hand and ~ed the letter away.
VERB: V n from/off n, V n away
3.
If you ~ something such as a whip or a towel, or ~ something with it, you hold one end of it and move your hand quickly up and then forward, so that the other end moves.
He helped her up before ~ing the reins...
She sighed and ~ed a dishcloth at the counter...
VERB: V n, V n prep
•
Flick is also a noun.
...a ~ of the whip.
N-COUNT
4.
If you ~ a switch, or ~ an electrical appliance on or off, you press the switch sharply so that it moves into a different position and works the equipment.
He ~ed a light-switch on the wall beside the door...
Sam was ~ing a flashlight on and off...
VERB: V n, V n with on/off
5.
If you ~ through a book or magazine, you turn its pages quickly, for example to get a general idea of its contents or to look for a particular item. If you ~ through television channels, you continually change channels very quickly, for example using a remote control.
She was ~ing through some magazines on a table...
VERB: V through n
•
Flick is also a noun.
I thought I’d have a quick ~ through some recent issues.
N-SING: a N