to flick
11
3.7
- verb
- /flɪk/
- UK
:
parpadear
- Just flick it twice, show him it's there.
- lights flick
I want to leave before the network starts flicking the lights on and off and saying goodbye.
- I want to leave before the network starts flicking the lights on and off and saying goodbye.
- And I cannot, I cannot remember anything that I said apart from the lights flicking and me going, oh, your lights broke.
Examples
-
So, when I flicked the switch, they hadn't connected properly.
-
All right, first you flick this switch, then this switch.
-
At that moment, you flick this switch, and then this switch.
-
We could set up a quick app so you could flick it on.
-
Each time the lights flick on and off, you will move on to the next station.
Academic text (1997) -
See, I flick this switch... ...and the image is projected onto a mirror... ...and the picture comes out here, and it's perfect.
-
Suddenly, the TV flicks on at full volume, and then the stereo and the radio.
Fiction book (1990) -
The humming stopped when he flicked the light switch by the door.
Fiction book (1990) -
John sways in through the back door and flicks on a light.
Fiction book (1995) -
When you want to turn off the lights, just flick the switch quickly.
Synonyms
60
3.6
Move or shine in quick unsteady ways
49
2.0
To flash on and off quickly like a light
13
2.5
To shine on and off quickly like a small light
3
4.9
To appear briefly on a screen or device
2
5.4
To flash on and off quickly
To shine with a small quick flicker of light
Compounds
How Intermittent
Surface Forms
Etymology
The verb flick for lights and images is tied to flicker, which means to 'go on and off quickly' or to make small quick movements. That's why a light that flicks seems to flash or change on and off in short bursts.