a kite for a somewhat less-fashionable theory…. 2. (sl.) pass a worthless check; sell worthless stocks and bonds: Marty was picked up for flying kites in three different cities. 3. (Under- world) smuggle a letter into or out of prison: This practice of “shooting” contraband notes is known among the prisoners as “flying a kite .” go fly a kite —(also: go fry an egg ) is used to rudely tell a per- son to go away and stop being annoying: You are a real bother. Go fly a kite ! fly boat • flying boat fly boat—(dated) 1. a passenger boat formerly used on canals: Until the advent of “fly boats ” … there was no night working, with the canals open only from sunrise to sunset. 2. a large flat-bottomed coasting boat: Captain George Weymouth made a voyage of discovery to the northwest with two flyboats . 3. a small boat, especially a ship’s boat: We see the vessel bound for the distant seas hoist sails, while the humble fly- boat carries to shore those friends… flying boat—(also: air boat) a seaplane with a boatlike fuse- lage: Short’s Empire class flying boats fifty years ago could offer a bed in the air. fly camp • flying camp fly camp—a temporary advanced camp at a distance from a base camp: Hughes moved one helicopter off to the nearest fly camp , thirty miles southwest. flying camp —(dated) a body of troops formed for rapid movement from place to place: An attack was to be made on the British camp on Staten Island by troops from Mercer’s flying camp . fly high • fly low fly high—1. have high ambitions: Ah! My boy, you are flying high . It is difficult to become a Lord Chancellor. 2. enjoy a high position in society, at work, etc.: John is flying high after landing himself a hi-tech job in the computer industry. 3. (sl.) be drunk or affected by drugs: The guy was on drugs —flying high and scaring everyone around him. fly low—1. (hyperbolic, coll.) considerably exceed a speed limit while driving: On the freeway I was flying low —going about 200 km per hour. Cf.: low flying — driving far exceeding a speed limit: She can now travel at her own speed, instead of low flying across Europe with Steve. 2. (euph.) used as a cau- tion to a man having his trouser zip undone: Someone walks up to you to quietly whisper in your ear that you are flying low . 3. (sl.) seek to avoid drawing attention to oneself: She was flying low when she walked in so they wouldn’t notice her. fly in the ointment, a • hair in the butter, a fly in the ointment, a—some small or trifling circumstance which spoils the enjoyment of smth.: There is only one fly in the ointment offered by commercial propagandists; they want your money. hair in the butter, a—(U.S. sl.) said of a delicate situation or sensitive issue: Never mind the details — which neither the Governor’s office nor anyone else is willing to share just yet— this is a real hair in the butter . fly off the handle • go off the handle fly off the handle—(coll.) get into a rage; lose one’s temper: When we are under stress, we are more likely to fly off the handle . go off the handle—(coll.) 1. = fly off the handle: Jimmy went off the handle at once; and Nicol kept patting him on the back. 2. die: My old gentleman means to be Mayor before he goes off the handle . Note: Neither expression is antonymous in meaning to the phrase get a handle on something—understand or be able to master smth. fully: This book should prove useful for anyone who wants to get a handle on this complex subject. fly on the wall • let that fly stick to the wall fly on the wall —an unperceived observer who is able to over- hear discussions, etc.: “What did you wheedle out of Maggie?” “Well … she was no fly on the wall , but there have to be letters, documents, papers to be typed.” let that fly stick to the wall—(Scot.) say nothing more on that subject: We’ve got in our midst a newspaper; some people call it well, a very peculiar newspaper. But we’ll let that fly stick to the wall . fly paper • fly-sheet fly paper—sticky paper for killing flies: Once the first fly lands, even more flies are attracted to the fly paper —making this product one of the most effective ways of dealing with flying insects. fly-sheet—1. a small loose advertising sheet: Brandt had received money with which to publish and distribute fly sheets inciting the unemployed to violence. 2. a flap consisting of a piece of canvas that can be drawn back to provide entrance to a tent: A fly-sheet is desirable in heavy rain, but none have been designed which will stand up to a strong wind. fly the flag • keep the flag flying fly the flag —1. (of a ship) be registered to a particular country and sail under its flag: Swearing an oath to revenge … he resolved to plunder any ship flying the flag of Spain. 2. (also: show the flag ) represent one’s country, etc. (by attending an event): Without their assistance, there would have been far fewer UK delegates at the meeting to “fly the flag .” Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase fly the wrong flag—(corporate culture) behave or act in a manner deemed inappropriate: I was not aware that wearing open-toed shoes to work was tantamount to flying the wrong flag . keep the flag flying—1. refuse to succumb; show continued commitment: It’s been quite a challenge for the few remaining teachers to keep the flag flying . 2. = fly the flag 2: The British delegation led by John Davis kept the flag flying ! All in all it was like meeting old friends… flyboy • flyman flyboy —(U.S. sl.) a member of an air force, especially a pilot: And, of course the infantry objected to the glorification of the flyboys . flyman—1. (Theater) a man stationed in the “flies” to work the ropes, etc.: The flyman may be said to carry some of the destiny of the performance in the hollow of his hand. 2. a person who drives a “fly”— a light vehicle as a cab or hansom: When the proof of that journey was obtained from the flyman , the evidence would be complete. flyfish • flying fish flyfish—1. (used as a verb) angle with a hook baited with (artificial) flies: There are many videos and classes around to teach you how to flyfish in very little time. 2. (used as a noun) a California fish (Sebastichthys rhodochloris), having brilliant colors: We went on fishing and I was the one with the best fish luck, I caught a flyfish on the hook. flying fish —fishes, chiefly of tropical seas, capable of leaving the water and moving some distance through the air: Every now and then a flying fish would spark out from the unruffled bosom of the heaving water. Flying Dutchman, the • Flying Scotchman, the Flying Dutchman, the—1. a ghost ship supposed to be seen – 123 – Flying Dutchman, the