fly-swatter

A man uses a fly-swatter to swat a fly on the kitchen counter.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device for killing flies: A "fly-swatter" is a hand-held implement, typically consisting of a flat, perforated, or solid piece of material (often plastic or metal) attached to a handle, used to strike and kill flies and other flying insects.

Usage Examples

• (He used the implement to try to kill the insect.)
• (The device was damaged and less functional.)

Advanced Usage

• "to use a fly-swatter on [something]": to strike an insect with the device.
  • She used a fly-swatter on the wasp that had flown into the room. (She hit the wasp with the swatter.)

Variants and Related Words

• Flyswatter (n): an alternate spelling of "fly-swatter", often used interchangeably.
  • I bought a new flyswatter at the hardware store. (I purchased a new device for killing flies.)
• Swat (v): to hit or strike sharply, especially to kill an insect.
  • He tried to swat the mosquito with his hand. (He attempted to hit the mosquito.)

Synonyms

• Insect swatter: a broader term for any device used to kill insects.
• Fly killer: a general term for a tool or method to kill flies.

Related Idioms

• "to swat a fly": to kill a fly with a quick, sharp blow (often using a fly-swatter or hand).
  • He swatted the fly with a rolled-up newspaper. (He killed the fly by hitting it sharply.)