Definition

1. Noun:

   • A short period of enjoyment or wild behavior: A brief time when someone acts with abandon, often doing things they normally wouldn't.
   • A short, energetic attempt or try: A brief and vigorous effort to do something.
   • A short, often casual, romantic or sexual relationship: A brief, non-serious romantic involvement.
   • A vigorous Scottish dance: A lively traditional dance, especially from Scotland.

2. Verb:

   • To throw something with force or without care: To propel an object violently or carelessly.
   • To move oneself or a part of one's body suddenly and forcefully: To move or put oneself somewhere in a sudden, energetic, or emotional way.
   • To say something in a sudden, forceful, or aggressive way: To utter words abruptly or angrily.
   • To indulge oneself freely, often with money or pleasure: To allow oneself to enjoy something without restraint, especially for a short time.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She had a brief fling with acting before becoming a lawyer. (A short attempt/period of enjoyment)
  • They had a summer fling while on vacation. (A short romantic relationship)
  • He decided to have one last fling before starting his new job. (A period of wild enjoyment)

• Verb:

  • In anger, he flung the book across the room. (Threw with force)
  • She flung herself onto the bed and cried. (Moved herself suddenly)
  • "I don't care!" he flung back at his critic. (Said something forcefully)

Advanced Usage

• "to have one's fling": To have a period of wild enjoyment or freedom, often before settling down.

  • He traveled the world to have his fling before starting a family.

• "to fling caution to the wind(s)": To stop being careful and act in a reckless way.

  • She decided to fling caution to the wind and quit her job to travel.

• "a Highland fling": Refers specifically to the lively traditional solo dance of Scotland.

  • The dancer performed a perfect Highland fling.

Variants and Related Words

• Flinger (n, rare): One who flings.
• Flinging (gerund/n): The act of throwing or moving forcefully.

Synonyms

• Noun (for period/wild behavior): Spree, binge, revel.
• Noun (for attempt): Try, attempt, go, whirl, crack.
• Verb (for throw): Hurl, toss, chuck, sling, cast.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fling away/off: To discard or reject something carelessly.
  • He flung away his old papers.
• Fling out: 1. To eject someone forcefully. 2. To say something angrily.
  • The bouncer flung the troublemaker out of the bar.
  • He flung out a string of insults.
• Fling on/off: To put on or take off clothing hastily.
  • She flung on her coat and ran out the door.

Related Idioms

• "Fling mud at someone": To make malicious accusations against someone; to slander.
  • The political opponents spent the debate flinging mud at each other.
• "Fling oneself at someone": To try too obviously and eagerly to attract someone romantically.
  • She was embarrassed after flinging herself at him at the party.
• "Fling open": To open a door or window suddenly and widely.
  • He flung open the windows to let in fresh air.

Noun

1. the act of flinging
2. a brief indulgence of your impulses
3. a usually brief attempt
   • he took a crack at it
   • I gave it a whirl

Verb

1. throw or cast away
   • Put away your worries
2. indulge oneself
   • I splurged on a new TV
3. move in an abrupt or headlong manner
   • He flung himself onto the sofa
4. throw with force or recklessness
   • fling the frisbee