to fly around

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]