Definition

Noun: 1. A small, wingless, bloodsucking insect: A tiny, parasitic insect that feeds on the blood of mammals and birds. It is known for its powerful jumping ability. 2. An insignificant source of irritation: (Informal, often in similes) Used to refer to a very small or trivial thing, especially a nuisance.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Literal):
  • The dog scratched constantly because it had fleas.
  • A single flea can jump over 150 times its own length.
• Noun (Figurative):
  • He wouldn't hurt a flea. (Meaning: He is very gentle and harmless.)
  • That problem is not worth worrying about; it's smaller than a flea.

Advanced Usage

• "a flea in one's ear": A sharp rebuke or stinging reprimand.
  • He went away with a flea in his ear after the manager criticized his proposal.
• "flea market": An open-air market selling second-hand goods and antiques. (Note: This is a compound noun listed here as it is a common fixed phrase).
  • We found this vintage lamp at a flea market.

Variants and Related Words

• Fleabag (n, informal): A shabby, dirty person or place, especially a run-down hotel.
  • We stayed in a real fleabag motel on that road trip.
• Flea-bitten (adj):
  • Infested with fleas.

    • a flea-bitten old rug
  • Shabby, worn-out, or dilapidated.

    • He drove a flea-bitten pickup truck.

Synonyms

• Parasite: An organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host. (This is a broader category that includes fleas).
• Nit: The egg of a louse or other parasitic insect; sometimes used informally for something very small. (Note: A nit is different from a flea).

Idioms and Phrases

• "not have/stand a flea's chance": To have no chance at all.
  • Against the champion, the newcomer didn't have a flea's chance.
• "skin a flea for its hide and tallow": To be extremely miserly or stingy.
  • That landlord would skin a flea for its hide and tallow; he never spends a penny.

Noun

1. any wingless bloodsucking parasitic insect noted for ability to leap