Die/fall/drop like flies
phrase
Many people or things dying, falling ill, or disappearing rapidly.
During the flu season, people were falling like flies.
Often appears as...
- people drop like flies
- soldiers fell like flies
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
To quickly leave or disappear from a place.
When the fire alarm went off, people ran from the building like flies.
Often appears as...
- disappear like flies
- escape like flies
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
Become unconscious or collapse from exhaustion.
After the long hike, we were dropping like flies.
Often appears as...
- soldiers drop like flies
- athletes fell like flies
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
Many people or things dying, falling ill, or disappearing rapidly.
During the flu season, people were falling like flies.
Often appears as...
- people drop like flies
- soldiers fell like flies
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
To quickly leave or disappear from a place.
When the fire alarm went off, people ran from the building like flies.
Often appears as...
- disappear like flies
- escape like flies
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
Become unconscious or collapse from exhaustion.
After the long hike, we were dropping like flies.
Often appears as...
- soldiers drop like flies
- athletes fell like flies
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphoric Extinction
Used metaphorically for the rapid decrease or ending of something.
After the new policy, old practices died like flies.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Doesn't always mean death; can refer to dropping out or rapid decline.
Since the new console's release, traditional games are falling like flies.
Pro Tip 3/3Hyperbolic Expression
Often used to exaggerate a situation for effect, not to be taken literally.
When the band cancelled, fans left the venue like flies.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphoric Extinction
Used metaphorically for the rapid decrease or ending of something.
After the new policy, old practices died like flies.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Doesn't always mean death; can refer to dropping out or rapid decline.
Since the new console's release, traditional games are falling like flies.
Pro Tip 3/3Hyperbolic Expression
Often used to exaggerate a situation for effect, not to be taken literally.
When the band cancelled, fans left the venue like flies.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphoric Extinction
Used metaphorically for the rapid decrease or ending of something.
After the new policy, old practices died like flies.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Doesn't always mean death; can refer to dropping out or rapid decline.
Since the new console's release, traditional games are falling like flies.
Pro Tip 3/3Hyperbolic Expression
Often used to exaggerate a situation for effect, not to be taken literally.
When the band cancelled, fans left the venue like flies.
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