catch flies
catch flies · catches flies · caught flies · catching flies
To have one's mouth wide open for a prolonged periodTo have one's mouth wide open for a prolonged period.
Meaning
3 senses(idiomatic)To have one's mouth wide open for a prolonged period.
You'd better close your mouth; are you trying to catch flies?
(informal)Of an actor: to distract the audience by moving or gesturing when the focus should be elsewhere.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see catch, fly.
Forms
catches flies, catching flies, caught flies, caught flies| Base form | catch flies · to catch flies |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | catches flies |
| Present participle | catching flies |
| Past simple | caught flies |
| Past participle | caught flies |
irregular · Lesson
Word family
1 related wordsRelatedflytrap
Lessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle