let fly

let fly

1. To launch something, often as a weapon. A noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "fly." At the sound of the whistle, the kids let fly their water balloons.

2. To launch into a verbal attack. I don't know what made him so angry, but he suddenly let fly with a string of expletives.

See also: fly, let

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

let fly

Discharge a missile or fire a weapon; also, attack verbally. For example, He let fly a rotten egg at the speaker, or They let fly some insults laced with four-letter words. The first usage dates from about a.d. 1000, the second from the late 1500s.

See also: fly, let

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

let ˈfly (at somebody/something) (with something)

(informal)
1 throw, shoot, etc. something with great force: He aimed his gun and let fly.
2 attack somebody/something: When I told him that I couldn’t find the letter, he let fly at me. ♢ She let fly at her neighbour with a stream of insults.

See also: fly, let

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

let fly

1. To shoot, hurl, or release: The troops let fly a volley of gunfire.

2. To lash out; assault: The mayor let fly with an angry attack on her critics.

See also: fly, let

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.