flick through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flick through" is a legitimate idiom in written English, and it is most commonly used in the phrase "flick through (something)." The phrase means to look through something quickly or with little effort, often referring to quickly going through the pages of a book or magazine.
For example: "I quickly flicked through the magazine while I was waiting in line at the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'll have a flick through.

The New York Times - Sports

I used to flick through.

Independent

We flick through those".

The Guardian - Opinion

Flick through the Fringe programme and it hits you.

The Guardian

A flick through An Apology for Idlers bears no fruit.

The Guardian - Arts

When I get home, I flick through Dreams.

The Guardian - Music

"You just want to flick through a limited choice.

The Guardian

It's so much easier to flick through pages than it is to negotiate the web.

Independent

To find the specific pages, you can flick through the unofficial sites that exist online.

Independent

Touch the iPad and line drawings appear on the pages, which you can flick through.

Independent

Things like Vanity Fair or The Spectator, that I can flick through and leave them behind.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flick through" when you want to convey a quick and casual examination of something, especially written material. For example, "I often "flick through" magazines while waiting at the doctor's office."

Common error

Avoid using "flick through" when you mean to convey a detailed or careful reading. It's better to use terms like "study", "analyze", or "scrutinize" if you want to emphasize a deeper engagement with the material.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flick through" is a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "flick" with the preposition "through" to create a new verb with a distinct meaning, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. This phrasal verb typically acts as a transitive verb, requiring an object (e.g., "flick through a magazine").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "flick through" is a common and acceptable way to describe quickly browsing or skimming something, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various types of writing. While similar to phrases like "skim through" and "leaf through", it uniquely conveys a casual and rapid examination. Remember to use it when you intend to express a quick look rather than a detailed analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaf through

Specifically refers to turning pages, similar to "flick through" but perhaps slower.

thumb through

Similar to leafing, emphasizing the physical action of using one's thumb.

skim through

Focuses on reading quickly to get the main points, differing slightly in implying less attention to detail.

browse through

Suggests a more leisurely and less focused examination than "flick through".

dip into

Suggests reading small portions of a text, not necessarily in order.

scan through

Implies looking for specific information rather than a general overview.

glance at

Indicates a very brief look, shorter than "flick through".

run through

Implies a quick rehearsal or practice, diverging from the visual focus of "flick through".

check out

A more general term for looking at something, less specific than "flick through".

peruse

Suggests a more thorough and careful reading, the opposite of "flick through".

FAQs

How can I use "flick through" in a sentence?

You can use "flick through" to describe the action of quickly browsing something, like "I often "flick through" news articles online" or "She likes to "flick through" cookbooks for inspiration".

What are some alternatives to "flick through"?

You can use alternatives like "skim through", "browse through", or "leaf through" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "flick through" in formal writing?

While "flick through" is widely understood, it leans towards informal usage. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "scan", "review", or "examine" for clarity and professionalism.

What's the difference between "flick through" and "read carefully"?

"Flick through" implies a quick, superficial look, while "read carefully" suggests a thorough and attentive examination. The former is for getting a general idea, and the latter is for detailed understanding.