Phrase guide

catch flies

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To have one's mouth wide open for a prolonged period.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • You'd better close your mouth; are you trying to catch flies?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Of an actor: to distract the audience by moving or gesturing when the focus should be elsewhere.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, theater

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see catch, fly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.