I. ˈfliŋ verb
( flung ˈfləŋ ; also dialect flang ˈflaŋ, -aiŋ ; flung ; flinging ; flings )
Etymology: Middle English flingen, flengen (also, to strike, lash out), of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flengja whip, throw, Norwegian, to tear loose, hurry; akin to Old Norse flā to flay — more at flay
intransitive verb
1. : to move hastily, brusquely, or violently often as an expression of mental or emotional turmoil
she flung away from her brother's restraining hand
flinging out of the room in a rage
2.
a. of an animal : to kick or plunge wildly : aim a kick — now usually used with out
the mule flung out at him as he passed
b. obsolete , of a person : to struggle or fling oneself about (as in attempting to escape)
3. Scotland
a. : to caper about
b. : to dance a fling
transitive verb
1.
a. : to throw especially with force, violence, recklessness, or abandon : hurl
as if a resistless flood had torn them loose from their foundations … flinging them here and there — O.E.Rölvaag
flung his books on the table
— often used with an adverb of direction
flung the report down in disgust
flung up his hands in despair
b. : to cast aside by or as if by throwing forcibly : discard , disregard
they flung off all restraint
— often used with away
fling away that dirty old cloth
2.
a. : to bring, send, or put (a person) suddenly, violently, or unexpectedly into a different and usually worse state or position — used with into
the enemy was flung into confusion
the new king flung his brothers into prison
b. : to throw off (as a rider) or down (as a wrestling opponent)
c. archaic : to get the better of : overthrow
d. archaic : swindle , cheat
3. : to move (as a body part) suddenly or impetuously — usually used with an adverb of direction
flung her arms wide in greeting
angrily flinging up his head
4.
a. : to give off or send forth : emit
the sun flinging its warm rays on the soil
the massed roses flung their heady scent into the evening breeze
b. : to ejaculate or utter vigorously, curtly, or with strong emotion
he flung a sharp reply as he left
flinging a hasty word of consolation
— see fling off
5. : to throw (as one's efforts) into something
flung all their resources into the revolution
: address (as oneself) to something usually with vigor or strong emotional response
she flung herself into her new tasks gratefully
Synonyms: see throw
•
- fling oneself at someone's head
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from flingen, v.
1. : a sharp cast (as from the hand) : a hard throw
give the thing a fling and get rid of it for good
2.
a. : a casual try : an effort not based on deep or sustained interest
I'm willing to take a fling at almost any job
b. : a usually impulsive utterance indicative of contempt : gibe , sarcasm
not above taking an occasional sharp fling at their folly
c. archaic : a hasty, impulsive, or impromptu act (as a journey)
3. : lively and unconstrained action or activity: as
a. : a plunging or kicking especially of a horse
b. : an affair or a period marked by uninhibited gaiety, self-indulgence, or dissipation
determined to have one last fling before he sailed