fancy (redirected from when the fancy takes)

be footloose and fancy-free (old-fashioned)

if someone is footloose and fancy-free, they can do what they want because they are not married or do not have many responsibilities. Jane's planning to go to parties and clubs every night now that she's footloose and fancy-free.

fancy-pants (American & Australian, informal)

trying to seem too attractive or too clever in a way that is false. We liked the restaurant's food but not the fancy-pants decor. (always before noun) I don't know what she sees in that fancy-pants college professor of hers.

a flight of fancy/fantasy/imagination

an idea which shows a lot of imagination but which is not practical or useful in real situations. You were talking about cycling across the US, or was that just another flight of fancy?

See also: flight, imagination

take/tickle someone's fancy (informal)

if something takes someone's fancy, they suddenly think it seems interesting. She's got enough money to buy whatever takes her fancy.

See also: take, tickle

---

strike someone's fancy

to seem interesting or pleasing to someone. She has enough money to buy whatever strikes her fancy.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form tickle someone's fancy: Look through the gift catalog and see if anything tickles your fancy.

See also: strike

take a fancy to someone/something

to start liking someone or wanting something very much. I think my sister has taken a fancy to you.

See also: take