From Middle English fling, from the verb (see below). Compare Icelandic flengur (“a fast sprint”).
Meanings
An act of throwing, often violently.
An act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements, especially in a dance.
the fling of a horse
An act or period of unrestrained indulgence, enthusiasm, or both.
Here again steam is having its last fling, and the "dual link" drivers at Brunswick shed, Liverpool, already are alternating steam and diesel duties. 1960 February, Cecil J. Allen, “Locomotive Running Past and Present”, in Trains Illustrated, page 113:
"I am inclined to go and have a fling with them. Why not all of us — just for a minute or two — it will not detain us long?" 1891, Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d’Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented […], volume I, London: James R[ipley] Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., […], →OCLC, phase the first (The Maiden), page 23:
When I was as young as you, I had my fling. I led a life of pleasure. 1838, Douglas William Jerrold, Men of Character:
A short romantic, oftentimes sexual, relationship.
a summer fling
Because I've noticed one thing / This ain't no summer fling 1976, “Oh Lori”, in Alessi, performed by Alessi Brothers:
I had a fling with a girl I met on holiday.
(figuratively) An attempt, a try.
give it a fling
(obsolete) A severe or contemptuous remark; an expression of sarcastic scorn; a gibe or taunt.
I, who love to have a fling, / Both at senate house and king. c. 1732, Jonathan Swift, Epistle to a Lady:
I can just make out clearly that he is having a good fling at the Pope. The congregation, numbering about two hundred, are evidently very much pleased with the clergyman's endeavour. 1880, Good Words, volume 21, page 167:
A lively Scottish country dance.
the Highland fling
A party, especially a dance party.
a spring fling
(obsolete) A trifling matter; an object of contempt.
ante 1800, old proverb
England were but a fling / Save for the crooked stick and the grey goose wing.
es lío (short sexual relationship) · de Sause (act of unrestrained indulgence) · fr lancé (act of throwing) · wyi booembegat (act of throwing) · pt ficada (short sexual relationship) · ru любо́вное увлече́ние (short sexual relationship) · fr amourette (short sexual relationship) · de Liebschaft (short sexual relationship) · da lejlighed til at slå sig løs (act of unrestrained indulgence) · fi hoito (short sexual relationship) · nl avontuurtje (short sexual relationship) · ru интри́жка (short sexual relationship) · de Wurf (act of throwing) · ca aventura (short sexual relationship) · cs vrhnutí (act of throwing) · sv ragg (short sexual relationship) · de Werfen (act of throwing) · sv flört (short sexual relationship) · de Stoß (act of throwing) · de Seitensprung (short sexual relationship) · es romance (short sexual relationship) · it avventura (short sexual relationship) · de Stossen (act of throwing) · cs mrštění (act of throwing) · de Liebelei (short sexual relationship) · cs hození (act of throwing) · fi sätke (act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements) · bg флирт (short sexual relationship) · cy sbri (act of unrestrained indulgence) · mr भिरकावणे (act of throwing) · fr passade (short sexual relationship) · de Schwingen (act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements) · cs vyhodit si z kopýtka (act of unrestrained indulgence) · de Spaß (act of unrestrained indulgence) · cs aférka (short sexual relationship) · ar عَلَاقَة سَرِيعَة (short sexual relationship) · es rollo (short sexual relationship) · de flüchtige Affäre (short sexual relationship) · de Schwung (act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements) · ca rotllo (short sexual relationship) · fi säätö (short sexual relationship) · es devaneo (short sexual relationship) · de Gaudi (act of unrestrained indulgence) · da affære (short sexual relationship) · es bacilón (short sexual relationship) · bg хвърляне (act of throwing) · nb affære (short sexual relationship) · fr liaison (short sexual relationship) · bg мятане (act of throwing) · es escarceo amoroso (short sexual relationship) · es ligue (short sexual relationship) · de kurze Affäre (short sexual relationship) · de Herumwerfen (act of throwing) · de Schwingen (act of throwing) · sv fling (short sexual relationship) · de Krösken (short sexual relationship) · ga spallaíocht (short sexual relationship) · fr aventure (short sexual relationship) · nl slippertje (short sexual relationship) · sv äventyr (short sexual relationship) · ro aventură (short sexual relationship) · de Reissen (act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements) · de Schlagen (act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements) · cs flirt (short sexual relationship) · bg веселие (act of unrestrained indulgence) · de Schleudern (act of throwing) · es embullito (short sexual relationship) · cs mrsknutí (act of throwing) · bg развлечение (act of unrestrained indulgence) · es enredo (short sexual relationship) · de wilde Zeit (act of unrestrained indulgence) · nb eventyr (short sexual relationship) · he סטוץ (short sexual relationship) · es amorío (short sexual relationship) · es agarre (short sexual relationship) · sv affär (short sexual relationship) · es agarrón (short sexual relationship) · fi heitto (act of throwing) · ar علاقة طيارى (short sexual relationship) · de Bettgeschichte (short sexual relationship) · fi sätkiminen (act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements) · de Schütteln (act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements) · fr jet (act of throwing) · cs krátký poměr (short sexual relationship) · de ausgelassene Zeit (act of unrestrained indulgence) · es aventura (short sexual relationship) · ro arunca (act of throwing) · mr जोराने फेकणे (act of throwing) · de Hinschleudern (act of throwing) · pt caso (short sexual relationship) · de ruckartige Bewegung (act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements) · fi pikasuhde (short sexual relationship) · de Techtelmechtel (short sexual relationship) · de Hinwerfen (act of throwing)
From Middle English flyngen, from Old Norse flengja (“to whip”), from Proto-Germanic *flangijaną (“to beat, whip”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂k- (“to beat”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂k-, *pleh₂g- (“to beat”). Cognate with Icelandic flengja (“to spank”), Norwegian flengja (“to rip, tear, or fling open”).
Meanings
(transitive) To throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl.
Wilkinson was struggling, sending the re-start straight into touch and flinging a pass the same way, and France then went close to the first try of the contest as Clerc took a long pass out on the left and was just bundled into touch by the corner flag. 2011, Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France:
'Tis Fate that casts the Dice, and as she flings,
Of Kings makes Pedants, and of Pedants Kings. 1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, Charles Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Seventh Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC:
Signalman Bridges was killed by the blast, as was fireman Nightall. Amazingly, driver Gimbert came round some 200 yards away, on the grass outside the Station Hotel where he had been flung. 2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948, page 43:
I know thy generous temper well. / Fling but the appearance of dishonour on it, / It straight takes fire. 1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, page 4:
(intransitive, literary) To move (oneself) abruptly or violently; to rush or dash.
I flung closer to his breast, / As sword that, after battle, flings to sheath. 1856, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “(please specify either |book=1 to 9 or the page)”, in Aurora Leigh, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1857, →OCLC:
"We beseech your Majesty—" said Glozelle, but Miraz had flung out of the tent and they could hear him bawling out his acceptance to Edmund. 1951, C. S. Lewis, Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia:
I see, sir, said I, I see what a man I am with. […] And away I flung, leaving him seemingly vexed, and in confusion. 1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CXIII”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC:
And crop-full, out of doors he flings. a. 1645, John Milton, “L’Allegro”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC:
(archaic, intransitive) To throw; to wince; to flounce.
The horse flung most potently, making his heels fly aloft in the air. 1836, Helen Crocket, The Ettrick Shepherd's Last Tale:
(intransitive, literary) To utter abusive language; to sneer.
fr jeter (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · cs mrsknout (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ar رَمَّى (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · cs vrhnout se (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · de sich hinschleudern (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · ja 投げる (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · nl smijten (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · de sich werfen (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · bg хвърлям (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · fr balancer (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · enm flyngen (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · cs mrštit (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · es lanzar (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · es arrojarse (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · fi viskata (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · cs hodit sebou (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · vec slansar (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · de sich in etwas stürzen (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · ru мета́ть (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ru бро́ситься (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · es tirarse (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · id membanting (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · hy գցել (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · it scagliare (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · qu chuqay (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · id banting (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · fur slançâ (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · cs skočit (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · de sich hinwerfen (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · bg запращам (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ar اِنْدَفَعَ (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · pt arremessar (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · de sich hinunterwerfen (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · pt lançar (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · de schleudern (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ru швырну́ть (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · cmn 扔 (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · da fare (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · de sich heranwerfen (an jemanden) (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · de sich fallen lassen (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · enm flyngen (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · hy շպրտել (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · hy նետել (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · da smide (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · sa क्षिपति (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · de schmeißen (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ota صالمق (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ru швыря́ть (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · cmn 拋 /抛 (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · eo ĵeti (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ru бро́сить (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ru ки́нуться (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · ru ки́нуть (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · de sich an jemanden ranwerfen (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · mi tāhoa (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ru броса́ть (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · fi singota (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ru метну́ть (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · cs hodit (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · es echarse (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · ru кида́ть (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · da styrte (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · mr भिरकावणे (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · it slanciare (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ru броса́ться (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · fi paiskata (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · ro arunca (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · es aventar (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · de sich herumwerfen (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · ru кида́ться (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · es lanzarse (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · cmn 鑄 /铸 (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · mr जोराने फेकणे (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · cmn 投 (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · fi rynnätä (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · ar صَبَّ (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · de sich hinunterstürzen (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste) · da kaste (to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl) · fi singahtaa (to throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste)