fly off
1. To leave a particular place by flying, as of a bird. The birds all flew off when they heard us coming. The metal trashcan fell over with such a loud crash that the birds nearby immediately flew off. Don't panic, it's just a ladybug. Give her a minute and she'll fly off your shoulder, I'm sure.
2. To depart some place or thing hastily. Yeah, Paulina flew off earlier today because she had to be in Baltimore by noon. The criminals already flew off. How did they know we were coming to arrest them today? Come on, if we don't fly off right now, you're going to be late for school!
3. To travel to a particular destination by flying, as on an airplane. Well, I guess I won't see you this weekend if you're flying off to Paris. Fancy meeting you here at the airport! Where are you flying off to? I am about to fly off on a tropical vacation, so this better not be work calling!
4. To suddenly become very upset, angry, or agitated. Don't fly off into a fit—we can fix this problem. I know you're upset, but there's no point flying into a rage like that. It was just an honest mistake. Hey, don't fly into a temper at me because you didn't get the promotion—I had nothing to do with their decision!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
fly off
1. Lit. to take to flight quickly. The stork flew off before we got a good look at it. The little birds flew off and things were quiet again.
2. Fig. to leave in a hurry. Well, it's late. I must fly off. She flew off a while ago.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
fly off
v.1. To fly away: After the gunshot, the birds flew off.
2. To depart and travel by flying: My parents flew off to Miami for the weekend.
3. To suddenly and expressively enter an excited, especially negative, emotional state: When the child was told to sit down, he flew off into a rage.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.