flick

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.

See also: out

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 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.

See also: out

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.

See also: through