1 A2 informal
To change to a different television or radio channel quickly.
"Can you flick over to the news? I want to catch the headlines."
inseparable
flick over
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To quickly change to another television channel or to turn something over with a light motion.
In plain English
To quickly change the channel on the TV, or to flip something over with a quick, light movement.
What does "flick over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To turn something over with a quick, light movement.
"He flicked the postcard over to read the message on the back."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move with a flick so something goes over to the other side — transparent.
Actually means
To quickly change the channel on the TV, or to flip something over with a quick, light movement.
Usage tip
Primarily British English. Very natural in everyday conversation about television. Can also apply to turning a page or an object over quickly.
Words that pair with "flick over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
channel page TV remote switch card
How to conjugate "flick over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
flick over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flicks over
he/she/it
Past simple
flicked over
yesterday
Past participle
flicked over
have + pp
-ing form
flicking over
continuous
Hear "flick over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "flick over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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