flicks
flicks — idiom
1. a way of referring to the cinema as a place where people go to watch films on a
a way of referring to the cinema as a place where people go to watch films on a large screen, used in everyday informal conversation
Felix suggested we go to the flicks on Friday night instead of staying home.
informal British: 'the flicks' for 'the cinema'
Ayana checked the newspaper to see what was showing at the local flicks on Saturday night.
My grandfather still goes to the flicks every Friday evening with his neighbour, even at the age of eighty.
There is a new science-fiction film at the flicks that the kids want to see.
文法句型
the + flicks
用法筆記
Almost always appears with the definite article 'the'. Used mainly in spoken British English; an American speaker would say 'the movies' instead.
常見錯誤
flicks — noun
1. a film or movie, especially one that is popular or made for entertainment rather
a film or movie, especially one that is popular or made for entertainment rather than serious artistic purposes
The Watanabe family sat on the sofa and watched a comedy flick on Saturday evening.
[adjective] flick: a comedy flick
Sumin says the new action flick is not worth the ticket price.
That horror flick from last year still gives me nightmares.
Nkechi and Rachel both agreed that the detective flick had a clever ending.
Takeshi and his friends stayed up late watching a zombie flick on the streaming service.
文法句型
a flick
[adjective] flick
用法筆記
Commonly preceded by a descriptive adjective indicating the genre, such as 'action flick', 'horror flick', or 'comedy flick'. Used in both British and American informal speech.
常見錯誤
2. a short, quick movement made with a finger, hand, wrist, or an object such as a
a short, quick movement made with a finger, hand, wrist, or an object such as a whip, done with very little force but with speed
The horse shivered at a flick of its tail.
a flick of + [body part]
Darius opened the bottle cap with a quick flick of his thumb.
One flick of the wrist sent the ball flying across the garden.
Ilan brushed the dust off the shelf with a single flick of his fingers.
The dancer finished the routine with a sharp flick of her fan.
- push
a stronger, slower movement using more force
文法句型
a flick + of + [body part / object]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' plus the body part or object that produces the movement. Common in descriptions of small, precise actions.
常見錯誤
3. a short, sharp sound like the one made when something light and flexible strikes
a short, sharp sound like the one made when something light and flexible strikes a surface or when a switch is pressed
Omar heard the flick of the light switch from the hallway and knew his roommate was home.
describes a sound made by contact
The only noise in the room was the flick of a lighter being opened and closed.
Putri heard the flick of the pages as Daniel flipped through the textbook quickly.
Esme heard the flick of a wet dishcloth hitting the kitchen floor and went to pick it up.
文法句型
a flick
用法筆記
This sense describes the auditory result of a flicking motion rather than the motion itself. Can be used for wet or dry sounds, as long as they are brief and light.
flicks — verb
- flickspresent simple I / you / we / they
- flickses3rd person singular
- flicksing-ing form
- flicksedpast simple
1. to make something move through the air or across a surface by using a quick, lig
to make something move through the air or across a surface by using a quick, light motion of your finger, hand, or an object
The child flicked a grape across the lunch table and hit his sister's cup.
flick + [object] + [adverb of direction]
Vikram flicked the loose coin off the counter and caught it with one hand.
The chef flicked a pinch of salt over the pan into the simmering sauce.
Erik flicked the paper ball toward the bin but it bounced off the rim.
文法句型
flick + [object] + [adverb/preposition]
flick + [body part]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always followed by an adverb or preposition phrase indicating direction (off, across, into, toward, over). Without a direction word, the meaning becomes vague.
常見錯誤
2. to move a small switch, button, or lever up or down in order to start, stop, or
to move a small switch, button, or lever up or down in order to start, stop, or adjust a machine, light, or electronic device
The janitor flicked the light switch and the kitchen filled with a warm glow.
flick + [switch] + and result clause
Felix flicked on the television to catch the evening news.
flick on + [device]
Rachel flicked the air conditioner off before leaving for work.
The pilot flicked a row of switches on the control panel before takeoff.
文法句型
flick + [switch / lever / button]
flick + [object] + on/off
用法筆記
Commonly paired with 'on' or 'off' as phrasal particles. 'Flick on' means to activate; 'flick off' means to deactivate. The object can come between the verb and the particle ('flick the light on') or after the particle ('flick on the light').
常見錯誤
3. to hit or touch someone or something with a quick, light motion, usually with a
to hit or touch someone or something with a quick, light motion, usually with a finger or a small object, often as a signal or to get attention
Valentina flicked her brother's arm to wake him up before the bus arrived.
flick + [body part] as a signal
The teacher flicked the desk with a ruler to get the class to quiet down.
Nikhil flicked his cousin on the shoulder to get her attention during the film.
A cat flicked the dangling string with its paw over and over again.
- punch
a hard blow with the fist
文法句型
flick + [person/animal/thing]
flick + [body part]
用法筆記
This sense always takes a direct object specifying the person, animal, or thing that is tapped or touched. The object can be followed by a body part introduced by 'on' or by a tool introduced by 'with'.
4. to remove something from a surface by using a quick, light brushing or sweeping
to remove something from a surface by using a quick, light brushing or sweeping motion, typically with a hand or finger
Putri flicked the dust off her jacket before entering the restaurant.
flick + [substance] + off + [surface]
The commuter flicked a dead leaf from the shoulder of his coat as he walked.
The barber flicked the hair clippings away from the customer's collar.
Sumin flicked the water droplets from her glasses after washing them.
- stick
to attach rather than remove
文法句型
flick + [object] + off / away / from
用法筆記
Almost always requires a direction adverb ('off', 'away', 'from') to specify where the material is removed from. Without it, the sentence may sound incomplete or shift to a different sense of 'flick'.
常見錯誤
5. to move, pass, or travel very quickly and lightly from one place, position, or s
to move, pass, or travel very quickly and lightly from one place, position, or state to another, sometimes in a way that seems effortless or barely noticeable
The image on the screen flicked from one scene to the next in rapid succession.
flick from + [X] + to + [Y]
A small bird flicked past the window and vanished into the hedge.
Baraka flicked through the magazine while waiting for the dentist to call his name.
The detective's eyes flicked around the crowded room, searching for a familiar face.
- skim through
to read quickly for the main ideas, more deliberate than 'flick through'
- flit
more poetic; often describes insects or birds moving lightly
- linger
to stay in one place for a long time
文法句型
flick + [adverb/preposition]
flick + through + [thing]
flick + past + [person/thing]
用法筆記
Often used with 'through' to mean looking quickly through a book or magazine without reading carefully. Can also describe rapid eye movements or quick transitions between scenes or images.
常見錯誤
6. to make a series of small, quick movements directed toward something, often with
to make a series of small, quick movements directed toward something, often with the intention of shooing it away, getting its attention, or testing its surface
Nkechi flicked at the fly buzzing around her plate, but it would not leave.
flick at + [insect] (to shoo away)
Lukas flicked at the mosquito that kept landing on his arm during the barbecue.
Renata flicked at the stray cat with a gentle hand motion, hoping it would come closer.
The toddler flicked at soap bubbles in the bath until they all popped.
Ilan flicked at the spider web with a stick before walking through the doorway.
文法句型
flick + at + [person/animal/thing]
用法筆記
This sense differs from sense 3 (SHARP TAP) in that it describes a repeated or continuous action directed 'at' a target without necessarily making contact each time, or with the goal of producing a reaction rather than simply striking.