flick

A small, very quick movement, often made with a finger or hand.

• She moved it with a flick.
• A quick flick of his finger switched off the light.
• The cat gave its tail an impatient flick.

How to use it: a flick of something (A flick of her wrist sent the ball across the table.)

Similar words: flip, twitch

Common phrases: flick of something, quick flick, flick of a wrist

A film; in the plural with 'the', a place where people watch films.

• We watched a funny flick.
• Do you like old horror flicks?
• They spent the evening at the flicks.

How to use it: go to the flicks (We used to go to the flicks every Saturday.)

Similar words: film, movie, cinema

Common phrases: horror flick, action flick, the flicks

A large piece of salted or smoked meat from a pig's side.

• They bought a flick of bacon.
• The butcher hung several flicks in the smokehouse.
• She cut a thick slice from the flick of bacon.

How to use it: a flick of bacon (A flick of bacon hung above the kitchen fire.)

Similar words: flitch

Common phrases: flick of bacon, smoked flick

To move or hit something with a small, quick movement.

• She flicked the switch.
• He flicked the dust off his jacket.
• The horse was flicking its tail to keep flies away.

How to use it: flick something off something (She flicked a crumb off her sleeve.); flick something at someone/something (He flicked water at his brother.)

Similar words: flip, snap

Common phrases: flick a switch, flick something away, flick something off something

To move past so quickly that it is difficult to see clearly.

• A shadow flicked past.
• Faces flicked by as the train gathered speed.
• Brief images flicked across the screen too quickly to recognize.

How to use it: flick past someone/something (Dark shapes flicked past the window.)

Similar words: flit, flash

Common phrases: flick past, flick by, flick across something