a flutter in the dovecote
A stir or mild disturbance among a certain organization or group of people, especially one that is typically quiet, reserved, or conservative in nature. Likened to domestic pigeons fluttering their wings in response to an agitation (a dovecote being a structure built to house and raise them). The unexpected entrance of an exuberant young woman caused a bit of a flutter in the dovecote at the old Men's Only club. Eloise, are you mad? You'll set off a flutter in the dovecote if you leave your shoulders bare in church! Take off your hat this instant! Wearing a hat indoors—are you trying to cause a flutter in the dovecote?
all in a flutter
In a nervous, confused, or agitated state. We were all in a flutter waiting to meet the president at our school rally. The interviewer kept asking these really vague, convoluted questions and got me all in a flutter. News that the country's largest corporation has filed for bankruptcy has left the market all in a flutter.
all of a flutter
In a nervous, confused, or agitated state. We were all of a flutter waiting to meet the president at our school rally. The interviewer kept asking these really vague, convoluted questions and got me all of a flutter. News that the country's largest corporation has filed for bankruptcy has left the market all of a flutter.
be in a flutter
To be in a nervous, confused, or agitated state. We were all in a flutter waiting to meet the President at our school rally. The economy is still in a flutter after news that the country's largest corporation has filed for bankruptcy. Ugh, I sound like an idiot! I was in a flutter because the interviewer kept asking these really vague questions.
flutter (one's) eyelashes
To flirt with or feign romantic interest in someone. (Literally fluttering one's eyelashes is an exaggerated way of doing so.) Usually but not exclusively refers to women. She kept fluttering her eyelashes at me each time I talked to her, so I'm thinking of asking her out on a date. I like to flutter my eyelashes at bartenders to see if I can get a drink or two for free. Well, I feel like a real loser. Turns out, that cute girl wasn't fluttering her eyelashes at me—she just had something in her eye.
flutter about
1. Literally, to fly around some thing or place in a quick, deft manner. The kids are outside, trying to catch the lightning bugs that are fluttering about. I'm sorry, I can't stay in the garden with all these bees fluttering about! The baby was mesmerized by the butterflies fluttering about at the park.
2. By extension, to move quickly around some place or area. I think Anita is fluttering about the office, straightening up. Good luck finding her. Mom's been fluttering about, putting the finishing touches on her Thanksgiving décor. The kids fluttered about the backyard visiting each station at the birthday party.
flutter around (something)
1. Literally, to fly around some thing or place in a quick, deft manner. The kids are outside, trying to catch the lightning bugs that are fluttering around. I'm sorry, I can't stay with all these bees fluttering around the garden! The baby was mesmerized by the butterflies fluttering around the park.
2. By extension, to move quickly around some place or area. I think Anita is fluttering around the office, straightening things up. Good luck finding her. Mom's been fluttering around the house, putting the finishing touches on her Thanksgiving décor. The kids fluttered around the backyard visiting each station at the birthday party.
flutter down
To fall or move slowly or gently downward through the air. The papers slipped out of my hand and fluttered down to the ground. We sat at the fire pit and sipped apple cider as we watched the fall leaves flutter down from the trees. A feather just fluttered down from the sky, but I don't see any birds around.
flutter over (someone or something)
To move through the air above someone or something. A butterfly fluttered over us and then landed in the plants. I'm sorry, I can't stay in the garden with all these bees fluttering over the flowers! A chirping bird fluttered over my head and startled me.
flutter the dovecote
To cause a stir or mild disturbance among a certain organization or group of people, especially one that is typically quiet, reserved, or conservative in nature. Likened to domestic pigeons fluttering their wings in response to an agitation (a dovecote being a structure built to house and raise them). The exuberant young woman fluttered the dovecote of the old Men's Only club by bursting in unannounced. Eloise, are you mad? You'll flutter the dovecote if you leave your shoulders bare in church! Take off your hat this instant! Wearing a hat indoors—are you trying to flutter the dovecote?
in a dither
In a nervous, confused, or agitated state. We were in a dither waiting to meet the president at our school rally. News that the country's largest corporation has filed for bankruptcy has left the market in a dither. The interviewer kept asking these really vague questions and got me in a dither.
in a flutter
In a nervous, confused, or agitated state. We were all in a flutter waiting to meet the President at our school rally. The economy is still in a flutter after news that the country's largest corporation has filed for bankruptcy. The interviewer kept asking these really vague questions and got me in a flutter.
in a tizz(y)
In a nervous, confused, agitated, or excited state. He's always in a tizzy before board meetings, so it's going to be a long couple of days. The Internet is in a tizzy over his incoherent tweet. The pop star's fans will be in a tizz when he arrives.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
flutter about
and flutter around 1. Lit. to fly about with quick, flapping motions of the wings. The moths fluttered about aimlessly. A few birds fluttered around.
2. Fig. [for someone] to move about quickly and busily. Aunt Margaret fluttered about, picking up after everyone. Stop fluttering around and sit down!
flutter about something
and flutter around something 1. Lit. to fly around something or some place. The moths were fluttering about the lightbulb. The butterflies fluttered around the bright flowers.
2. Fig. to keep moving busily within a particular place. The maid fluttered about the house, dusting and arranging. She fluttered around the house from room to room.
flutter down
[for flying or falling things] to flap or float downward. The butterflies fluttered down onto the flowers. The leaves fluttered down from the trees when the breeze blew.
flutter over someone or something
to fly or flap above someone or something. (Also said of a person being fussy about someone or something.) The little moths fluttered over us while we were in the garden. The birds flutter over the fountain, eager for a bath.
in a dither
confused; nervous; bothered. Mary is sort of in a dither lately. Don't get yourself in a dither.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.