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no flies on. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
no flies on, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
no flies on in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
no flies on you have here. The definition of the word
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no flies on, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
A litotes suggesting one is not torpid enough to have flies settle.
Pronunciation
Phrase
no flies on
- (idiomatic) No mental weaknesses, character defects, or other significant flaws belonging to.
1899, Grant Allen, chapter 3, in Miss Cayley's Adventures:"You're jest about the very woman I'm looking for, miss. Lithe—that's what I call you. I kin put you in the way of making your pile, I kin. This is a bonâ-fide offer. No flies on my business!"
1909, William Dean Howells, chapter 5, in A Hazard of New Fortunes:I give you my word that there are no flies on his personal integrity, if that's what you mean.
1914, Peter B. Kyne, chapter 13, in The Long Chance:"He knows what we want, you bet" he whispered. "No flies on that preacher. I like him. I like any man who can do things without a diagram and directions for using."
1915, John Galsworthy, The Little Man, sc. 1:GERMAN. Wait! You are a young people.
AMERICAN. That is so; there are no flies on us.
Usage notes
- Now usually used to suggest that a person is particularly alert, clever, or energetic.
- Often used in the construction "There are no flies on him/her/them".
Related terms
References