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fling

 - 4 dictionary results

fling

  [fling] verb, flung, fling⋅ing, noun
Use fling in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to throw, cast, or hurl with force or violence: to fling a stone.
2. to move (oneself) violently with impatience, contempt, or the like: She flung herself angrily from the room.
3. to put suddenly or violently: to fling a suspect into jail.
4. to project or speak sharply, curtly, or forcefully: He flung his answer at the questioner.
5. to involve (oneself) vigorously in an undertaking.
6. to move, do, or say (something) quickly: to fling a greeting in passing.
7. to send suddenly and rapidly: to fling fresh troops into a battle.
8. to throw aside or off.
9. to throw to the ground, as in wrestling or horseback riding.
–verb (used without object)
10. to move with haste or violence; rush; dash.
11. to fly into violent and irregular motions, as a horse; throw the body about, as a person.
12. to speak harshly or abusively (usually fol. by out): He flung out disgustedly against the whole human race.
–noun
13. an act of flinging.
14. a short period of unrestrained pursuit of one's wishes or desires: The week of partying was my last fling before starting a new job.
15. an attempt at something: He took a fling at playwriting.
16. a critical or contemptuous remark; gibe.
17. Also called Highland fling. a lively Scottish dance characterized by flinging movements of the arms and legs.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME; cf. Sw flänga to fly, race
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To fling
fling   (flĭng)   
v.   flung (flŭng), fling·ing, flings

v.   tr.

  1. To throw with violence: flung the dish against the wall. See Synonyms at throw.

  2. To put or send suddenly or unexpectedly: troops that were flung into battle.

  3. To throw (oneself) into an activity with abandon and energy.

  4. To cast aside; discard: fling propriety away.

v.   intr.
To move quickly, violently, or impulsively.
n.  

  1. The act of flinging.

  2. A brief period of indulging one's impulses. See Synonyms at binge.

  3. Informal A usually brief attempt or effort: You take a fling at it.

  4. A brief sexual or romantic relationship.


[Middle English flingen, of Scandinavian origin; see plāk-2 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

fling  (v.)
c.1300, probably from O.N. flengja, of uncertain origin. The M.E. intransitive sense is preserved in phrase have a fling at "make a try." The noun sense of "period of indulgence on the eve of responsibilities" first attested 1827. Meaning "vigorous dance" (associated with the Scottish Highlands) is from 1806. An obsolete word for "streetwalker, harlot" was fling-stink (1679).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

fling

In addition to the idiom beginning with fling, also see last fling.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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