flit
gb/flˈɪt/ us/flˈɪt/
C1
English
röpköd, libben, átsuhan, átfut, egyikről a másikra ugrál, csapong, lelép, megszökik, beugrás, libbenés
VERB
C1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] flits (about/around/through/across) [place]
A small bird flitted from branch to branch above us.
Egy kis madár ágról ágra röpködött felettünk.
Moths flitted around the porch light at dusk.
Alkonyatkor molylepkék röpködtek a verandán égő lámpa körül.
She flitted across the stage in a few quick steps.
Learner examples
A butterfly flitted from flower to flower.
Egy pillangó virágról virágra röpködött.
He flitted across the room.
Átsuhant a szobán.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse flit with flutter: flutter emphasizes wing movement; flit emphasizes quick, light movement from place to place.
Meaning
move lightly and quickly
Collocations
flit about
|flit around
|flit through the trees
|flit between branches
|flit from flower to flower
|flit across the room
|flit past
|flit overhead
|birds flit
|moths flit
Synonyms
dart (suggests a sudden, fast movement.)
|
flutter (emphasizes rapid wing or light trembling motion.)
|
zip (more informal; suggests very fast movement.)
Antonyms
linger (stay in one place longer than expected.)
|
stay (remain without moving around.)
Themes
nature
|movement
Definition
to move quickly and lightly
To move quickly and lightly, especially with small, rapid movements like those of a bird, bat, or insect.
VERB
C1
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
[something] flits across/through [something]
A smile flitted across her face and was gone.
Egy mosoly suhant át az arcán, aztán el is tűnt.
The thought flitted through his mind, but he dismissed it.
A gondolat átsuhant az agyán, de elhessegette.
Shadows flitted across the wall as cars passed outside.
Learner examples
A quick smile flitted across her face.
Egy futó mosoly suhant át az arcán.
Common mistake:
Often used with across (a face) or through (the mind); it does not mean 'move permanently' or 'travel'.
Meaning
appear briefly then disappear
Collocations
a smile flitted across her face
|a look flitted across his face
|a thought flitted through my mind
|memories flit back
|shadows flitted
|an idea flitted into my head
|doubt flitted
|fear flitted
|a trace flitted
|a grin flitted
Synonyms
flicker (highlights rapid appearing and disappearing.)
|
flash (suggests sudden, brief appearance.)
|
cross (common with facial expressions; less vivid than flit.)
Antonyms
remain (continue to be visible or present.)
|
settle (stop changing and stay in place (often of feelings).)
Themes
emotions
|mind
|perception
Definition
to show for a moment and then go
To appear for a very short time and then go away, especially of an expression, image, shadow, or idea.
VERB
C1
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] flits from [place/thing] to [place/thing]
She flitted from one task to the next without finishing anything.
Egyik feladatról a másikra ugrált anélkül, hogy bármit befejezett volna.
We flitted between cafés until we found a table.
Kávézóról kávézóra jártunk, amíg nem találtunk asztalt.
The conversation flitted from movies to politics to travel.
Learner examples
He flits from one hobby to another.
Egyik hobbiról a másikra ugrál.
Common mistake:
Flit suggests not staying long; it can sound slightly critical when used about people’s attention or habits.
Meaning
move quickly from one thing to another
Collocations
flit from one job to another
|flit from party to party
|flit between tasks
|flit between meetings
|flit from topic to topic
|flit from app to app
|flit between rooms
|flit around the house
|flit from shop to shop
|flit from idea to idea
Synonyms
hop (informal; suggests quick changes.)
|
bounce (informal; suggests energetic moving between things.)
|
skip (can suggest moving lightly and not taking things seriously.)
Antonyms
settle (stay in one place or commit to one thing.)
|
stick (continue with the same activity or choice.)
Themes
daily_life
|work
|social_life
Definition
to change places or activities quickly
To move from one place, activity, or topic to another without staying long in any one of them.
VERB
C2
INFORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
[someone] flits (from/out of) [place]
They flitted in the middle of the night and left the keys on the table.
Az éjszaka közepén leléptek, és a kulcsokat az asztalon hagyták.
The tenants flitted without paying the last month’s rent.
A bérlők leléptek anélkül, hogy kifizették volna az utolsó havi lakbért.
Common mistake:
This is mainly British/Irish usage; in other varieties it may be unclear.
Meaning
leave a home suddenly (UK)
Collocations
flit in the night
|flit without paying
|flit from the flat
|flit from the landlord
|flit suddenly
Synonyms
skip out (informal; leave suddenly, especially to avoid duties.)
|
do a runner (UK informal; run away to avoid trouble or payment.)
Antonyms
move out properly (leave with notice and in an agreed way.)
|
stay put (not leave or move.)
Themes
housing
|law
|money
Definition
to move out suddenly without telling people (UK)
To leave a rented home suddenly, sometimes secretly, especially to avoid paying rent or debts.
NOUN
C2
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
a flit (to/round) [place]
I’ll have a quick flit to the supermarket and be back in ten minutes.
Teszek egy gyors beugrást a szupermarketbe, és tíz perc múlva visszaérek.
She took a flit upstairs to grab her jacket.
Gyorsan felszaladt az emeletre a dzsekijéért.
Learner examples
I had a quick flit to the shop.
Gyorsan beugrottam a boltba.
Common mistake:
As a noun, flit is less common than the verb and is more natural in British English.
Meaning
a quick light movement or visit
Collocations
a quick flit
|a flit to the shops
|a flit into town
|go for a flit
|have a flit around
Synonyms
dash (emphasizes speed and urgency.)
|
quick trip (more neutral and common.)
Antonyms
stay (remaining rather than making a brief visit.)
|
long visit (opposite in duration.)
Themes
daily_life
|movement
Definition
a very short quick trip or movement
A quick, light movement, or a brief visit somewhere.
Grammar
Dictionary form
flit
IPA
GB/flˈɪt/
US/flˈɪt/
Syllables & stress
flit (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (flit)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: flit
- 3rd Person Singular: flits
- Present Participle: flitting
- Past: flitted
Word family
Forms
flits
verb
flitting
verb
flitted
verb
Advanced or less common
flitter
verb
Expressions
(a smile/look) flit across [someone]'s face
1/ə smˈaɪllˈʊk flˈɪt əkɹˈɔs sˈoʊmˈoʊnz fˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
literary
expression appears very briefly
an expression shows for a moment
Examples
- A flicker of annoyance flitted across his face.
- A smile flitted across her face when she heard the news.
Learner examples
- A smile flitted across his face.
do a flit
1/dˈu ə flˈɪt/
fixed phrase
informal
leave suddenly without notice (UK)
to move out suddenly (UK)
Examples
- They did a flit and left the flat full of rubbish.
- If you do a flit, the landlord can still chase you for what you owe.
flit about/around
1/flˈɪt əbˌaʊtɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
move quickly here and there
to move quickly from place to place
Examples
- The children flitted about the garden, chasing bubbles.
- Waiters flitted around the tables, refilling glasses.
Learner examples
- She flits around the kitchen.
flit from [thing] to [thing]
1/flˈɪt fɹˈʌm θˈɪŋ tə θˈɪŋ/
fixed phrase
change focus very quickly
to switch quickly between things
Examples
- My attention flits from one notification to the next.
- The discussion flitted from budgets to deadlines to hiring.
Learner examples
- He flits from one idea to another.
flit in and out (of)
1/flˈɪt ˈɪn ˈænd ˈaʊt əv/
fixed phrase
appear briefly and repeatedly
to come and go many times
Examples
- People flitted in and out of the shop all afternoon.
- He flitted in and out of the conversation, half listening.
Learner examples
- She flits in and out of the room.