fly at
B2 informal transitive
In simple words
Suddenly rush at someone to attack them, or shout at them very angrily.
Literal meaning: To fly toward someone — moving through the air rapidly in their direction.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To suddenly rush at and physically attack someone or something.
"The guard dog flew at the intruder the moment it was released."
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To suddenly start shouting at or aggressively criticizing someone in a burst of anger.
"She flew at him the moment he walked through the door, furious about what he'd done."
Usage notes
Used for both physical attacks (a person or animal rushing at someone) and verbal outbursts (suddenly shouting at someone). More common in British English. Often conveys a sense of impulsive anger. The subject is frequently an animal or a person in a state of rage.
Commonly used with
someone attacker intruder opponent critic
Forms
Base
fly at
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flies at
he/she/it
Past simple
flew at
yesterday
Past participle
flown at
have + pp
-ing form
flying at
continuous
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