fishing expedition
Investigating or asking questions without a clear idea of what you are looking for
English · UK & Ireland 895
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in Britain and Ireland — distinctly British usage first, then widespread staples.
fist magnet
Someone who often gets into fights or arguments
fit for a king
Of very high quality or luxury
fit in or fuck off
Conform to expectations or leave
fit out
To equip or supply something with necessary items
fit to be tied
extremely angry or frustrated
fit to wake the dead
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
fits and starts
Happens or progresses irregularly with interruptions
five and dime
a store selling inexpensive items
five will get you ten
Something is very likely to happen
fix someone's wagon
to punish or take revenge on someone
fix the roof while the sun is shining
Prepare for problems when things are going well
flag down
to signal or stop something, like a vehicle, by waving a flag or arm
flame up
to suddenly become angry or excited
Flanders and Swann
a humorous musical duo
flannelled fool
A person who appears respectable but is actually foolish or incompetent
flap one's gums
Talk excessively or idly
flash back
Return to a past event in one's memory
flash for cash
to show wealth or money to impress others
flash the cash
Show off one's wealth by spending or displaying money
flat chat
working or moving as fast as possible
flat on one's back
Lying down, often due to illness or injury
flat out
completely or absolutely
flat strap
working or moving as fast as possible
flatten out
to become or make something less intense or extreme
flattery will get you nowhere
Excessive praise will not achieve its intended goal
flavor of the week
Something popular for a short time
flea in one's ear
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
flesh and bone
Human, with feelings and weaknesses
flesh one's maiden sword
To kill or defeat someone for the first time in battle
flesh out
To add more details or substance to an idea or plan
flick on the afterburners
to suddenly increase speed or effort
flight of fancy
An idea or thought that is imaginative but not practical
flip one's lid
to become extremely angry or excited
flip one's wig
to become extremely excited or upset
flip shit
to suddenly become very angry or upset
flip the bird
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
float someone's boat
to please or excite someone
flog a dead pony
to continue trying to achieve something that is hopeless
flog the dolphin
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
flog the log
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
flood the zone
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
floor it
to accelerate a vehicle to its maximum speed
floor one could eat off
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
floor to ceiling
Completely or totally, from the lowest to the highest point
floppy infant syndrome
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
flora and fauna
Plants and animals, especially in a particular region
flotsam and jetsam
Useless or discarded material
flower of the flock
The best or most excellent member of a group
flunk out
Fail to complete a course or academic program
flush out
to force someone or something to come out of hiding
flutter in the dovecote
cause a stir or excitement
flutter the dovecote
cause a big commotion
fly blind
to proceed without guidance or information
fly by
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
fly by the seat of one's pants
to act or make decisions without a plan
fly low
To avoid attention or scrutiny
fly off
to suddenly leave or become detached
fly off at a tangent
To suddenly change subject or direction in a conversation
fly off the handle
Get angry.