fly off: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘fly off’ mean?
The idiom "fly off" means to leave or depart quickly, often with great speed or urgency.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "let fly" means to release or throw something forcefully or with great speed. It can also refer to speaking or expressing oneself freely and without restraint.
Meaning: To stop or cease doing something or to end an activity or behavior.
This idiom is commonly used to indicate the act of discontinuing or putting an end to a particular action or behavior.
The idiom "in the offing" means something is likely to happen or is about to occur, especially in the near future.
An idiom used to describe someone leaving or departing. It implies a physical or metaphorical departure from a place or situation.
The idiom "go fly a kite" is an informal way of telling someone to go away or to leave you alone, often used when you are annoyed or frustrated with them.
The idiom "go off" means to explode, to suddenly start making a loud noise, or to become spoiled or rotten. It can also mean to happen or take place, especially in a surprising or unexpected way.
The idiom "get off the ground" means to start or begin something, especially a project or plan. It implies the initial steps or actions needed to make progress and move forward.
The idiom "fly the coop" means to escape or leave a place abruptly, often used to refer to someone leaving a difficult or confining situation quickly.
The idiom "fly out of the traps" means to start or move quickly, often with enthusiasm or energy. It is typically used to describe a person or thing that begins a race or competition swiftly.
The idiom "fly off the shelves" means that a product or item is being sold very quickly and in large quantities.
Enigmatic Origins
The idiom "fly off" is a commonly used phrase in the English language. It has a literal meaning that refers to something or someone moving quickly or suddenly away from a particular place. This idiom is often used to describe objects or people that are in motion, such as birds, bugs, or even people running or darting swiftly. It can also be used metaphorically to describe sudden or unexpected departures, actions, or changes in behavior.
An example of the literal usage of "fly off" can be seen in the sentence "The small bird flew off as soon as it saw me approaching." In this case, the idiom is describing the bird's rapid movement away from the observer. Another example is "When the door swung open, the papers on the table flew off and scattered all over the room." Here, the idiom is used to depict the papers being propelled forcefully and swiftly due to the door's sudden movement.
The related idiom "fly the coop" is similar to "fly off" in terms of literal meaning. It is used to describe someone leaving a place quickly or suddenly, often implying escape or a desire for freedom. An example sentence could be "After the argument with his parents, he decided to fly the coop and move out of the house."
Another related idiom is "fly by," which also shares a similar literal meaning with "fly off." It refers to something or someone passing quickly or swiftly. An example sentence could be "I didn't see what it was, but something just flew by me in a blur."
"fly off the shelves" is another related idiom that is often used in a metaphorical sense. It means that an item is selling quickly and in high demand. For example, one might say "The new iPhone model flew off the shelves as soon as it was released."
The idiom "drive off" is related to "fly off" as it also conveys a sense of sudden and rapid departure. However, it is used specifically in the context of driving away quickly. An example sentence could be "The thief drove off in a stolen car before anyone could catch him."
Lastly, we have the idiom "fly off at a tangent," which adds an element of unpredictability and sudden change in direction to the concept of "fly off." It refers to someone or something diverting abruptly from the main topic or path. An example sentence could be "During the meeting, he flew off at a tangent and started discussing unrelated issues."
The metaphorical usage of "fly off" conveys a sense of suddenness, excitement, or unpredictability. For instance, one might say "After a long day at work, she suddenly flew off to a tropical island for a vacation." In this context, the idiom suggests a spontaneous and impulsive departure to an exotic destination, emphasizing the abruptness and excitement of the getaway.
Furthermore, "fly off" can also be applied to describe abrupt changes in behavior or emotions. For example, one might say "He seems friendly at first, but his temper can fly off in an instant." The idiom is employed here to illustrate a swift change in the person's disposition from calm to potentially volatile.
Overall, the idiom "fly off" represents the concept of sudden and rapid movement or departure, both in its literal and figurative usage. It encapsulates the notion of something or someone swiftly moving away or changing, capturing a sense of spontaneity, excitement, and unpredictability. This idiom's versatility allows it to be applied in various contexts, making it a frequently employed phrase in the English language.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "fly off" can be used in a sentence:
1. She was so excited to open the package that she made the wrapping paper fly off.
2. The angry customer made his temper fly off when he received poor service.
3. As soon as the starting gun was fired, the athletes flew off the blocks in the race.
More "Verbs" idioms
