To fly in the face of

To fly in the face of
Fly Fly (fl[imac]), v. i. [imp. {Flew} (fl[=u]); p. p. {Flown} (fl[=o]n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Flying}.] [OE. fleen, fleen, fleyen, flegen, AS. fle['o]gan; akin to D. vliegen, OHG. fliogan, G. fliegen, Icel. flj[=u]ga, Sw. flyga, Dan. flyve, Goth. us-flaugjan to cause to fly away, blow about, and perh. to L. pluma feather, E. plume. [root]84. Cf. {Fledge}, {Flight}, {Flock} of animals.] 1. To move in or pass through the air with wings, as a bird.

2. To move through the air or before the wind; esp., to pass or be driven rapidly through the air by any impulse. [1913 Webster]

3. To float, wave, or rise in the air, as sparks or a flag. [1913 Webster]

Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. --Job v. 7. [1913 Webster]

4. To move or pass swiftly; to hasten away; to circulate rapidly; as, a ship flies on the deep; a top flies around; rumor flies. [1913 Webster]

Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

The dark waves murmured as the ships flew on. --Bryant. [1913 Webster]

5. To run from danger; to attempt to escape; to flee; as, an enemy or a coward flies. See Note under {Flee}. [1913 Webster]

Fly, ere evil intercept thy flight. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Whither shall I fly to escape their hands ? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly or swiftly; -- usually with a qualifying word; as, a door flies open; a bomb flies apart. [1913 Webster]

{To fly about} (Naut.), to change frequently in a short time; -- said of the wind.

{To fly around}, to move about in haste. [Colloq.]

{To fly at}, to spring toward; to rush on; to attack suddenly.

{To fly in the face of}, to insult; to assail; to set at defiance; to oppose with violence; to act in direct opposition to; to resist.

{To fly off}, to separate, or become detached suddenly; to revolt.

{To fly on}, to attack.

{To fly open}, to open suddenly, or with violence.

{To fly out}. (a) To rush out. (b) To burst into a passion; to break out into license.

{To let fly}. (a) To throw or drive with violence; to discharge. ``A man lets fly his arrow without taking any aim.'' --Addison. (b) (Naut.) To let go suddenly and entirely; as, to let fly the sheets. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • fly in the face of something — phrase to completely oppose, or be completely opposite to, something that most people believe or accept Flying in the face of public opinion, the local authority has approved the demolition of the old theatre. Thesaurus: to oppose something or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • fly\ in\ the\ face\ of — • fly in the face of • fly in the teeth of v. phr. To ignore; go against; show disrespect or disregard for. You can t fly in the face of good business rules and expect to be successful. Floyd s friends tried to help him, but he flew in the teeth… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • fly in the face of something — fly in the face of (something) slightly formal to be the opposite of what is usual or accepted. These recommendations fly in the face of previous advice on safe limits for alcohol consumption …   New idioms dictionary

  • fly in the face of — (something) slightly formal to be the opposite of what is usual or accepted. These recommendations fly in the face of previous advice on safe limits for alcohol consumption …   New idioms dictionary

  • fly in the face of — ► fly in the face of be openly at variance with (what is usual or expected). Main Entry: ↑fly …   English terms dictionary

  • fly in the face of — index override Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • fly in the face of — verb go against This action flies in the face of the agreement • Syn: ↑fly in the teeth of • Hypernyms: ↑violate, ↑go against, ↑break • Verb Frames …   Useful english dictionary

  • fly in the face or teeth of — idi fly in the face or teeth of, to act in brazen defiance of: to fly in the face of tradition[/ex] …   From formal English to slang

  • fly in the face of — or[fly in the teeth of] {v. phr.} To ignore; go against; show disrespect or disregard for. * /You can t fly in the face of good business rules and expect to he successful./ * /Floyd s friends tried to help him, but he flew in the teeth of their… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • fly in the face of — or[fly in the teeth of] {v. phr.} To ignore; go against; show disrespect or disregard for. * /You can t fly in the face of good business rules and expect to he successful./ * /Floyd s friends tried to help him, but he flew in the teeth of their… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • fly in the face of — contradict, be opposite to    These errors fly in the face of our reputation for accuracy …   English idioms

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