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fly by

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fly by

 

1. Lit. to soar past, flying. Three jet fighters flew by. A huge hawk flew by, frightening all the smaller birds.

2. Fig. [for time] to go quickly. The hours just flew by, because we were having fun. Time flew by so fast that it was dark before we knew it.

See also: fly

fly by

v.

1. To pass quickly, as of a moving object or an interval of time: The summer months flew by, leaving us only a few days warm enough for swimming.

2. To visit briefly, often unexpectedly: Some of my old school friends flew by for a short visit last week.

3. To move past in flight: Several geese flew by as we climbed the hill.

See also: fly