chick flick

A movie that is primarily appealing or marketed to a female audience, and often focused on relationships and romance. That new romantic comedy seems like a real chick flick, so my girlfriends and I are going to go see it this weekend. A: "Jake, we know you like chick flicks, don't lie." B: "Hey, The Notebook is just a good movie!" Why are you surprised? Sarah's always liked action movies more than chick flicks.

flick (something) with (something)

To graze something with something in particular. The cat flicked the Christmas tree branch with her tail and knocked off several ornaments. A: "How did you manage to knock that picture off the wall?" B: "I don't know, I only flicked it with my backpack!" Alexandra threw her head back and flicked me with her ponytail.

flick off

1. To turn something off, typically a switch. A noun or pronoun can be used between "flick" and "off." I flicked off the living room light and headed upstairs to bed. You're closer to the remote—can you flick off the TV? I'm trying to flick off the lamp, but I can't see where the switch is.

2. To remove something from someone or something with a quick touch or gesture. A noun or pronoun can be used between "flick" and "off." Startled, I immediately flicked the bug off my shoulder. When Mom stepped out of the room, I was quick to flick those crumbs off of the couch. Sorry, I flicked that piece of fuzz off of you because it looked like a bug from over here.

flick on

To turn something on, typically a switch. A noun or pronoun can be used between "flick" and "on." As soon as I flicked on the light, I could see that the house had been robbed. You're closer to the remote—can you flick on the TV? I'm trying to flick on the lamp, but I can't see where the switch is.

flick out

1. To quickly shoot out, usually of the tongue. The kids watched with glee as the frog's sticky tongue flicked out. I didn't expect a sign that said "Bang!" to flick out of the gun, like in an old-timey cartoon. Well, you're not Spiderman, so webs don't flick webs out of your wrists!

2. To cause something to quickly shoot out, as of the tongue. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "flick" and "out." The kids watched with glee as the frog flicked its sticky tongue out. The kids are flicking out their tongues and trying to catch snowflakes. Before I could stop him, the dog flicked his tongue out and started licking Grandma.

3. To extend outward, as of a flame. Move those papers away from the candle in case the flame flicks out. Well, with an electric stove, you don't have to worry about a flame flicking out. The flame wouldn't have flicked out like that if you would have just trimmed the wick like I told you to!

flick over

1. Of eyes, to dart quickly and suddenly to or across someone or something. His eyes flicked over to the spot where he had stashed the money. Her gaze flicked over me, assessing whether or not I could be trusted. Hey! Why did your eyes just flick over to me when he said "shady character"?

2. To cause something to travel over someone or something with a light, quick blow, kick, or jerk. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "flick" and "over." The forward flicked the ball over the defenders' heads, setting up a brilliant shot by her teammate. He made it look so easy the way he flicked over the Frisbee. Ugh, you were supposed to flick the note over her desk, not onto her desk! She was never supposed to see it!

3. To turn very quickly or briefly to a certain page, as in a book, newspaper, or magazine. OK, students, flick over to page 75, and we'll start reading from where we left off yesterday. I flicked over to the business section to check on the stock prices. After the cantor announced the number, I flicked to the song's page in my missal.

4. To cause something, such as a page in a book or magazine, to turn over very quickly, as with the flick of a finger. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "flick" and "over." She flicked the pages over so quickly that I wondered how she could read any of it at all. I nervously flicked over the pages of a fashion magazine while waiting to be called into the doctor's office. You can't just flick over the pages of a contract like that, you have to actually read them—or have a lawyer do it!

5. To change to a different channel, station, or frequency, as on a television or radio, especially quickly or abruptly. Flick over to channel nine. They're showing a great movie at 10 o'clock. We're getting a lot of interference. We'll need to flick over to a different frequency. Once we crossed state lines, I had to flick over to a different radio station—or listen to static.

6. To cause the channel on a television to change to another quickly or abruptly. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "flick" and "over." I happened to flick over the channel and see my aunt being interviewed on the 9 o'clock news. Can we please flick the station over to something a bit more mellow? I'm really not in the mood for death metal right now. Hey, can you flick the TV over to the baseball game for a sec? I just want to see the score.

7. Of a measurement device, to change from one reading to another. The car's odometer had just flicked over to 250,000 miles when I started hearing a foreboding sound in the engine. The indicator flicked straight over from "Safe" to "Danger," so we rang the supervisor immediately. If this arrow flicks over into the red, wake the Captain at once.

flick the bean

vulgar slang Of a woman, to masturbate by directly stimulating the clitoris, either with one's finger(s) or with a sex toy.

flick through (something)

To casually read through a document, magazine, or book without paying close attention to it. I had just started flicking through a magazine when the receptionist called my name. Can you flick through this proposal? I just need to know if there are any glaring issues. You can't just flick through the pages of a contract like that, you have to actually read them—or have a lawyer do it!

flick your Bic

slang To use a lighter. The phrase comes from a 1970s ad for the Bic brand of lighters. Come on, man, flick your Bic and give me a light here. You used to flick your Bic at a concert—obviously, we didn't have cell phones then. A: "Hey, can you flick you Bic?" B: "Yeah, but you've got to block the wind, otherwise this candle will never light."

give (one) the flick (pass)

To summarily spurn, dismiss, or reject one. Primarily heard in Australia. Jonathan has had a broken heart ever since Pat gave him the flick. Management promptly gave the new accountant the flick pass after his miscalculation cost the company hundreds of thousands of dollars. They'll give me the flick if they ever find out I wasn't sick on those days I called out.

popcorn flick

A film that is entertaining to watch but is generally not of a very high quality or rich in emotional or intellectual depth. A: "So what movie do you want to go see later?" B: "I don't feel like watching anything too heavy or complex—let's just see whatever popcorn flick is out."

skin flick

A softcore pornographic film; a film featuring a lot of nudity and graphic depictions of sex. In the end, the movie's story is fairly meaningless, making it a skin flick that is trying to pretend it is some kind of high art. The pay cable channels always show skin flicks late at night.

flick out

1. [for the ends of a flame] to reach out as the flame burns. The flames of the campfire flicked out and threatened the cold fingers that were too close. The flames flicked out from the burning house and set a nearby tree on fire.

2. [for the tongue of a reptile] to come out suddenly. The snake's tongue flicked out regularly. The lizard's tongue flicked out, grabbed the insect and ate it.

flick something off someone or something

and flick something off

to brush or knock a speck of something off of someone or something with a quick movement. She flicked a speck of lint off his collar. She flicked off the lint.

flick something on

to turn something on, using a toggle switch. Mary came into the room and flicked the light on. Please flick on the light.

flick something out

[for a reptile] to push out its tongue quickly. The lizard flicked its tongue out repeatedly. The lizard kept flicking out its tongue at regular intervals.

flick something with something

to brush or knock something with something quickly or lightly. She flicked her finger at the fly that had lighted nearby. Tom flicked the vase with his sleeve and knocked it over.

flick through something

to turn quickly through the pages of something. Colleen flicked through the magazine, looking only at the advertisements. I have only had time to flick through the manuscript, but it looks okay.

give someone the flick

give someone the flick pass

AUSTRALIAN, INFORMAL

If you give someone or something the flick or if you give them the flick pass, you get rid of them or say you do not want them. Nikki has given Brandon the flick. Brunker plans to give work the flick pass by the time he hits 30. Note: You can also say that someone gets the flick. These ridiculous games should get the flick so we can have a real championship. Note: In Australian football, a flick pass is a pass made by hitting the ball with an open hand. Flick passes are against the rules, which state that the ball should be passed by hitting it with the fist.

give someone the flick (or get the flick)

reject someone (or be rejected) in a casual or offhand way. informal, chiefly Australian

flick off

1. To remove something from a surface with a quick, brief sweeping motion: I flicked off the cat hair from my sweater before I went outside. The tailor flicked some loose threads off before giving me the suit.

2. To deactivate by using a switch; switch off: He flicked the light off and shut the door. She flicked off the bright lights to conserve energy.

flick on

To activate by switch; switch on: We flicked on the lights and entered the attic. Flick the heat on when you get home.

chick-flick

n. a movie intended for women and female interests. I hate chick-flicks. It’s a guy thing.

flick

n. a movie. That was a pretty good flick, right?

skin flick

n. a movie featuring nudity. (see also nudie.) Max likes skin flicks better than real girls.