Flee vs. Fly — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 15, 2024
Flee primarily implies escaping danger, often hastily, while fly involves moving through the air, typically with wings.
Difference Between Flee and Fly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Flee is closely associated with a sense of urgency and danger, often used in contexts where someone is trying to escape harm or threat. For example, people might flee a burning building or a city under siege. Fly, on the other hand, refers to the act of moving through the air, typically by means of wings or through the assistance of some form of technology, like airplanes. When living creatures fly, it's often a controlled, deliberate action, unlike the chaotic nature of fleeing.
While flee is used exclusively in the context of escape, fly can have broader applications, including the idea of moving quickly or suddenly, but not necessarily due to danger. Someone might say they need to "fly" through their work, meaning they need to do it quickly, but without the connotation of escaping danger.
The urgency and fear inherent in fleeing are absent in flying, which can be leisurely or even exhilarating. For instance, people might dream of flying like a bird, reveling in the freedom and perspective it offers, rather than the fear-driven compulsion behind fleeing.
Fleeing typically involves leaving something behind, often under duress or in fear, while flying can be about exploration or reaching new destinations. A refugee flees from war-torn regions seeking safety, whereas a traveler flies to explore new cultures and landscapes.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To run away from danger or threat.
To move through the air with wings or by mechanical means.
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Context
Often related to danger, urgency, and survival.
Can relate to movement through air, speed, or freedom.
Connotation
Negative, implying fear and escape.
Neutral or positive, often associated with freedom or speed.
Usage
Specific to escaping or avoiding.
Broader, including the act of moving quickly or suddenly.
Emotional Implication
Fear, panic, desperation.
Freedom, exploration, or efficiency.
Compare with Definitions
Flee
To run away to avoid harm.
They fled their home country due to conflict.
Fly
To travel through the air.
Birds fly south in the winter.
Flee
To escape danger quickly.
The villagers fled the approaching storm.
Fly
To operate an aircraft.
She learned to fly a plane.
Flee
To leave hastily under threat.
Accused of the crime, he fled the scene.
Fly
To move swiftly.
Time flies when you're having fun.
Flee
To evade a situation.
Fleeing responsibility, he avoided tough decisions.
Fly
To display in the air.
The flag flies atop the building.
Flee
To retreat from danger.
The army fled after their defeat.
Fly
To transport by air.
Goods are flown to remote areas.
Flee
To run away, as from trouble or danger
Fled from the house into the night.
Fly
Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- di- "two", and πτερόν pteron "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwings having evolved into advanced mechanosensory organs known as halteres, which act as high-speed sensors of rotational movement and allow dipterans to perform advanced aerobatics.
Flee
To pass swiftly away; vanish
"of time fleeing beneath him" (William Faulkner).
Fly
To move through the air by means of wings or winglike parts.
Flee
To run away from
Flee the scene of an accident.
Fly
To travel by air
We flew to Dallas.
Flee
(intransitive) To run away; to escape.
The prisoner tried to flee, but was caught by the guards.
Fly
To operate an aircraft or spacecraft.
Flee
(transitive) To escape from.
Many people fled the country as war loomed.
Thousands of people moved northward trying to flee the drought.
Fly
To rise in or be carried through the air by the wind
A kite flying above the playground.
Flee
(intransitive) To disappear quickly; to vanish.
Ethereal products flee once freely exposed to air.
Fly
To float or flap in the air
Pennants flying from the masthead.
Flee
To run away, as from danger or evil; to avoid in an alarmed or cowardly manner; to hasten off; - usually with from. This is sometimes omitted, making the verb transitive.
[He] cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
Flee fornication.
So fled his enemies my warlike father.
Fly
To move or be sent through the air with great speed
Bullets flying in every direction.
A plate that flew from my hands when I stumbled.
Flee
Run away quickly;
He threw down his gun and fled
Fly
To move with great speed; rush or dart
The children flew down the hall.
Fly
To be communicated to many people
Rumors are flying about their breakup.
Fly
To flee; escape.
Fly
To hasten; spring
Flew to her students' defense.
Fly
To pass by swiftly
A vacation flying by.
Fly
To be dissipated; vanish
All his money has flown.
Fly
Past tense and past participle flied (flīd) Baseball To hit a fly ball.
Fly
To shatter or explode
The dropped plate flew into pieces.
Fly
To become suddenly emotional, especially angry
The driver flew into a rage.
Fly
(Informal) To gain acceptance or approval; go over
"However sophisticated the reasoning, this particular notion may not fly" (New York Times).
Fly
To cause to fly or float in the air
Fly a kite.
Fly a flag.
Fly
(Nautical) To operate under (a particular flag)
A tanker that flies the Liberian flag.
Fly
To pilot (an aircraft or spacecraft).
Fly
To carry or transport in an aircraft or spacecraft
Fly emergency supplies to a stricken area.
Fly
To pass over or through in flight
Flew the coastal route in record time.
Fly
To perform in a spacecraft or aircraft
Flew six missions into space.
Fly
To flee or run from
Fly a place in panic.
Fly
To avoid; shun
Fly temptation.
Fly
The act of flying; flight.
Fly
The opening, or the fastening that closes this opening, on the front of a pair of pants.
Fly
The flap of cloth that covers this opening.
Fly
A piece of protective fabric secured over a tent and often extended over the entrance.
Fly
A flyleaf.
Fly
(Baseball) A fly ball.
Fly
(Sports) In swimming, butterfly.
Fly
The span of a flag from the staff to the outer edge.
Fly
The outer edge of a flag.
Fly
A flywheel.
Fly
Flies The area directly over the stage of a theater, containing overhead lights, drop curtains, and equipment for raising and lowering sets.
Fly
Chiefly British A one-horse carriage, especially one for hire.
Fly
Any of numerous two-winged insects of the order Diptera, especially any of the family Muscidae, which includes the housefly.
Fly
Any of various other flying insects, such as a caddisfly.
Fly
A fishing lure simulating something a fish eats, such as a mayfly or a minnow, made by attaching materials such as feathers, tinsel, and colored thread to a fishhook.
Fly
Chiefly British Mentally alert; sharp.
Fly
(Slang) Fashionable; stylish.
Fly
(zoology) Any insect of the order Diptera; characterized by having two wings (except for some wingless species), also called true flies.
Fly
(non-technical) Especially, any of the insects of the family Muscidae, such as the common housefly (other families of Diptera include mosquitoes and midges).
Fly
Any similar, but not closely related insect, such as a dragonfly or butterfly.
Fly
(fishing) A lightweight fishing lure resembling an insect.
Fly
(weightlifting) A chest exercise performed by moving extended arms from the sides to in front of the chest. (also flye)
Fly
(swimming) The butterfly stroke (plural is normally flys).
Fly
(obsolete) A witch's familiar.
Fly
(obsolete) A parasite.
Fly
(preceded by definite article) A simple dance in which the hands are shaken in the air, popular in the 1960s.
Fly
(finance) A butterfly (combination of four options).
Fly
(obsolete) The action of flying; flight.
Fly
An act of flying.
There was a good wind, so I decided to give the kite a fly.
Fly
(baseball) A fly ball.
Fly
(American football) fly route
Fly
A piece of canvas that covers the opening at the front of a tent.
Fly
The sloping or roof part of the canvas of a tent.
Fly
(often plural) A strip of material (sometimes hiding zippers or buttons) at the front of a pair of trousers, pants, underpants, bootees, etc.
Ha-ha! Your flies are undone!
Fly
The free edge of a flag.
Fly
The horizontal length of a flag.
Fly
(weightlifting) An exercise that involves wide opening and closing of the arms perpendicular to the shoulders.
Fly
The part of a vane pointing the direction from which the wind blows.
Fly
(nautical) That part of a compass on which the points are marked; the compass card.
Fly
Two or more vanes set on a revolving axis, to act as a fanner, or to equalize or impede the motion of machinery by the resistance of the air, as in the striking part of a clock.
Fly
(historical) A type of small, light, fast horse-drawn carriage that can be hired for transportation (sometimes pluralised flys).
Fly
In a knitting machine, the piece hinged to the needle, which holds the engaged loop in position while the needle is penetrating another loop; a latch..
Fly
The pair of arms revolving around the bobbin, in a spinning wheel or spinning frame, to twist the yarn.
Fly
(weaving) A shuttle driven through the shed by a blow or jerk.
Fly
The person who took the printed sheets from the press.
Fly
A vibrating frame with fingers, attached to a power printing press for doing the same work.
Fly
One of the upper screens of a stage in a theatre.
Fly
(cotton manufacture) waste cotton
Fly
A wing.
The bullet barely grazed the wild fowl's fly.
Fly
(intransitive) To travel through the air, another gas, or a vacuum, without being in contact with a grounded surface.
Birds of passage fly to warmer regions as it gets colder in winter.
The Concorde flew from Paris to New York faster than any other passenger airplane.
It takes about eleven hours to fly from Frankfurt to Hong Kong.
The little fairy flew home on the back of her friend, the giant eagle.
Fly
To flee, to escape (from).
Fly, my lord! The enemy are upon us!
Fly
To cause to fly travel or float in the air: to transport via air or the like.
Charles Lindbergh flew his airplane The Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic ocean.
Why don’t you go outside and fly kites, kids? The wind is just perfect.
Birds fly their prey to their nest to feed it to their young.
Each day the postal service flies thousands of letters around the globe.
Fly
(intransitive) To travel or proceed very fast; to hasten.
He flew down the hill on his bicycle.
It's five o'clock already. Doesn't time fly?
Fly
(intransitive) To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly or swiftly.
A door flies open
A bomb flies apart
Fly
(intransitive) To proceed with great success.
His career is really flying at the moment.
One moment the company was flying high, the next it was on its knees.
Fly
To be accepted, come about or work out.
Let's see if that idea flies.
You know, I just don't think that's going to fly. Why don't you spend your time on something better?
Fly
To display (a flag) on a flagpole.
Fly
(transitive) To hunt with a hawk.
Fly
To hit a fly ball; to hit a fly ball that is caught for an out. Compare ground (verb) and line (verb).
Jones flied to right in his last at-bat.
Fly
Quick-witted, alert, mentally sharp.
Fly
(slang) Well dressed, smart in appearance; in style, cool.
He's pretty fly.
Fly
(slang) Beautiful; displaying physical beauty.
Fly
To move in or pass through the air with wings, as a bird.
Fly
To move through the air or before the wind; esp., to pass or be driven rapidly through the air by any impulse.
Fly
To float, wave, or rise in the air, as sparks or a flag.
Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
Fly
To move or pass swiftly; to hasten away; to circulate rapidly; as, a ship flies on the deep; a top flies around; rumor flies.
Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race.
The dark waves murmured as the ships flew on.
Fly
To run from danger; to attempt to escape; to flee; as, an enemy or a coward flies. See Note under Flee.
Fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
Whither shall I fly to escape their hands ?
Fly
To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly or swiftly; - usually with a qualifying word; as, a door flies open; a bomb flies apart.
Fly
To cause to fly or to float in the air, as a bird, a kite, a flag, etc.
The brave black flag I fly.
Fly
To fly or flee from; to shun; to avoid.
Sleep flies the wretch.
To fly the favors of so good a king.
Fly
To hunt with a hawk.
Fly
To manage (an aircraft) in flight; as, to fly an aëroplane.
Fly
Any winged insect; esp., one with transparent wings; as, the Spanish fly; firefly; gall fly; dragon fly.
Fly
A hook dressed in imitation of a fly, - used for fishing.
Fly
A familiar spirit; a witch's attendant.
A trifling fly, none of your great familiars.
Fly
A parasite.
Fly
A kind of light carriage for rapid transit, plying for hire and usually drawn by one horse.
Fly
The length of an extended flag from its staff; sometimes, the length from the "union" to the extreme end.
Fly
The part of a vane pointing the direction from which the wind blows.
Fly
That part of a compass on which the points are marked; the compass card.
Fly
Two or more vanes set on a revolving axis, to act as a fanner, or to equalize or impede the motion of machinery by the resistance of the air, as in the striking part of a clock.
Fly
The piece hinged to the needle, which holds the engaged loop in position while the needle is penetrating another loop; a latch.
Fly
The pair of arms revolving around the bobbin, in a spinning wheel or spinning frame, to twist the yarn.
Fly
A shuttle driven through the shed by a blow or jerk.
Fly
Formerly, the person who took the printed sheets from the press.
Fly
The outer canvas of a tent with double top, usually drawn over the ridgepole, but so extended as to touch the roof of the tent at no other place.
Fly
One of the upper screens of a stage in a theater.
Fly
The fore flap of a bootee; also, a lap on trousers, overcoats, etc., to conceal a row of buttons.
Fly
A batted ball that flies to a considerable distance, usually high in the air; also, the flight of a ball so struck; as, it was caught on the fly. Also called fly ball.
Fly
Waste cotton.
Fly
Knowing; wide awake; fully understanding another's meaning.
Fly
Two-winged insects characterized by active flight
Fly
Flap consisting of a piece of canvas that can be drawn back to provide entrance to a tent
Fly
An opening in a garment that is closed by a zipper or buttons concealed by a fold of cloth
Fly
(baseball) a hit that flies up in the air
Fly
Fisherman's lure consisting of a fishhook decorated to look like an insect
Fly
Travel through the air; be airborne;
Man cannot fly
Fly
Move quickly or suddenly;
He flew about the place
Fly
Fly a plane
Fly
Transport by aeroplane;
We fly flowers from the Caribbean to North America
Fly
Cause to fly or float;
Fly a kite
Fly
Be dispersed or disseminated;
Rumors and accusations are flying
Fly
Change quickly from one emotional state to another;
Fly into a rage
Fly
Pass away rapidly;
Time flies like an arrow
Time fleeing beneath him
Fly
Travel in an airplane;
She is flying to Cincinnati tonight
Are we driving or flying?
Fly
Display in the air or cause to float;
Fly a kite
All nations fly their flags in front of the U.N.
Fly
Run away quickly;
He threw down his gun and fled
Fly
Travel over (an area of land or sea) in an aircraft;
Lindbergh was the first to fly the Atlantic
Fly
Hit a fly
Fly
Decrease rapidly and disappear;
The money vanished in las Vegas
All my stock assets have vaporized
Fly
(British informal) not to be deceived or hoodwinked
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to flee?
To flee means to run away from danger or threat, often hastily.
Is fleeing always due to fear?
Typically, yes. Fleeing usually involves escaping from something feared or dangerous.
Can all animals fly?
No, only animals with wings or specific adaptations, like certain insects, birds, and bats, can truly fly.
Is flying always physical?
While often physical, "flying" can also be used metaphorically, e.g., "flying through a book" means reading very quickly.
Does fleeing always involve running?
Not necessarily; it implies moving away quickly, which can include driving or other forms of transport.
Can fleeing be a strategic move?
Yes, in some contexts, fleeing can be a strategic retreat rather than a panicked escape.
Can "fly" refer to something other than moving through the air?
Yes, "fly" can also mean to move or do something very fast.
How do humans fly?
Humans fly using technology, such as airplanes, helicopters, or gliders.
Are there expressions involving "fly"?
Yes, many, such as "time flies" or "fly off the handle."
Can "fly" imply freedom?
Yes, it often symbolizes freedom or liberation.
Can "flee" imply a positive action?
It's generally seen in a negative light, associated with fear, but can be positive if it leads to safety.
Can the term "flee" be used metaphorically?
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe avoiding or escaping non-physical threats.
Is "flee" used in everyday language?
It's less common in casual conversation and more used in serious or dramatic contexts.
Can technology "fly"?
Yes, in the context of drones or other flying devices, technology can "fly."
Is the ability to fly unique to certain species?
Yes, flight is a special ability limited to certain animals like birds, insects, and bats.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
