Topic: BASEBALL
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Sense: 1, 3-7, 9
| Origin: | Old English fleoge |
| Date: | 1800-1900 |
| Origin: | FLY1 |
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fly3 plural flies [countable]
1 a small flying insect with two wings : 
There were flies buzzing all around us.
insect
HBI
There were flies buzzing all around us.2 the part at the front of a pair of trousers which you can open : He quickly did up his fly. Your flies are undone.
trousers
especially American English also flies [plural] British EnglishDCCHe quickly did up his fly.Your flies are undone.3 used to say that someone is very gentle and is not likely to hurt anyone
somebody wouldn't hurt/harm a fly
informal4 used to say that a lot of people are dying or becoming ill
be dying/dropping etc like flies
informalMI5 the only thing that spoils something and prevents it from being successful : The only fly in the ointment was Jacky.
a fly in the ointment
informalThe only fly in the ointment was Jacky.6 to be able to watch what happens without other people knowing that you are there : I wish I'd been a fly on the wall during that conversation. ➔ fly-on-the-wall
be a fly on the wall
I wish I'd been a fly on the wall during that conversation.7 used to say that someone is not stupid and cannot be tricked
there are no flies on somebody
British English spoken8TD
on the fly
a) technical while a computer program is actually running : The code is translated on the fly.
The code is translated on the fly.b) while dealing with a situation, rather than before dealing with it : So far, policy is being made on the fly.
So far, policy is being made on the fly.9 a hook that is made to look like a fly and is used for catching fish
fishing
DSO10 a fly ball
