To pass very quickly — used for time, vehicles, or events.
Go past very fast, or pass so quickly you barely notice.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
Of time, to pass very quickly, especially in a way that surprises you.
"The summer holidays flew by — I can't believe school starts again tomorrow."
The years just fly by.
— Common idiomatic expression, widely used in everyday speech
Of a vehicle or aircraft, to pass a point very rapidly.
"A fighter jet flew by so low that all the car alarms in the street went off."
To fly past a point — quite transparent when used of aircraft.
Go past very fast, or pass so quickly you barely notice.
Most commonly used for time ('the years flew by') to express that a period passed more quickly than expected. Also used literally for aircraft, vehicles, or anything moving rapidly past a point. Informal and conversational, but also appears in writing.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "fly by" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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