What are the definitions of “flick through”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Change TV channels repeatedly.
I FLICKED THROUGH the channels to see if there was anything worth watching.
- 2Look through something quickly.
I FLICKED THROUGH the magazine and decided to buy it.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “flick through”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb flick through is to look through something quickly, such as a book, magazine, or a list of items. It can also mean changing TV channels repeatedly.
What are the different verb forms of “flick through”?
| Root Verb | flick through |
| Third Person Singular Present | flicks through |
| Present Participle | flicking through |
| Simple Past | flicked through |
| Past Participle | flicked through |
Example
I always flick through the newspaper in the morning.
Example
She flicks through the channels to find her favorite show.
Example
He is flicking through the catalog to find a gift for his friend.
Example
Yesterday, they flicked through the photo album together.
Example
The pages of the book had been flicked through many times.
What kind of phrasal verb is “flick through”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“flick through” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She flicked through the magazine quickly.
Example
He flicked through the TV channels to find something interesting.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“flick through” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She flicked through the magazine quickly.
Example
He flicked through the TV channels to find something interesting.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “flick through”?
Flick through channels
Change TV channels repeatedly, usually to find something interesting to watch.
Example
He flicked through the channels, but couldn't find anything he wanted to watch.
Good things to know
Does “flick through” have an informal or formal tone?
Flick through is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and more formal settings, depending on the context. For example, it can be used when discussing reading materials, such as books or magazines, or when talking about watching TV.
