flick through
A2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To look quickly through a magazine or book by turning the pages fast, or to zap through TV channels.
Literal meaning: To move (a finger) with a flick action through pages — transparent.
Meanings
1 A2 informal
To turn the pages of a book or magazine quickly, without reading every word.
"She flicked through the fashion magazine while waiting at the dentist."
Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 informal
To change television or radio channels rapidly, browsing without settling on one.
"He flicked through the channels for ten minutes before giving up and turning the TV off."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Extremely common in everyday British and American English. Can apply to physical materials (magazines, books) or digital channels. Very similar to 'thumb through' but the latter is only for physical pages.
Commonly used with
magazine book channels catalogue photos newspaper
Forms
Base
flick through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flicks through
he/she/it
Past simple
flicked through
yesterday
Past participle
flicked through
have + pp
-ing form
flicking through
continuous
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