fling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief, casual romantic or sexual relationship, or to indicate throwing something with force or enthusiasm. Example: "They had a summer fling that ended when school started again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is so easy to fling judgment from our balconies, our blogs – far harder to consider the vast, grinding industries in place to make the customers feel inadequate as mothers, as women, and then to direct their  hands.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you're one of the richest 1,000 Britons who have enjoyed a doubling of wealth during one of the worst economic crises in modern history, it surely smacks of ingratitude not to fling a few pennies into the Tory coffers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sure, on the basis of this clip he's examining it for clues about its origin and worth, and not getting ready to fling it through the eye sockets of several dozen baddies while he abseils down an exploding oil rig, but it's a good sign nonetheless.

The Guardian - Film

But the government cannot just fling open the gates and count the cash.

The Economist

AS DARKNESS falls on May 14th, Britain's museums will fling open their doors.

The Economist

His public persona is almost comically wooden and unappealing, though he is said to be funny and charming in private.And there is plenty of mud to fling.

The Economist

She is to contest a by-election in early April and, soon afterwards, Thein Sein implied last month, may find herself in his cabinet.In this section Outta here Desperate fling Najib at bay Among friends UP, down, sideways The devil in the deep blue detail ReprintsAfter long years of repressive military rule, this is huge progress, and has been welcomed by world leaders.

The Economist

And efforts by Mr Tang's campaign to fling dirt at Mr Leung have largely backfired: in response has come a succession of allegations about his own private life and record in office.

The Economist

Over the same period the Bovespa is up by almost 5%.In this section The decoupling debate Food, fuel and froth Bling fling Crunch numbers Don't mark to Markit Hawks in the outback Lynched When the rivers run dry Internship Reprints Related items Entrepreneurs in Brazil: Betting the fazendaMar 6th 2008 Brazil's economy: This time it will all be differentJan 17th 2008What explains this resilience?

The Economist

Particularly on Mondays, papers are often so light that they are hard to fling from a car or bicycle to a doorstep.The possibility that paper prices will roar back as the world economy accelerates is only one danger facing newspaper firms.

The Economist

They are not going to fling themselves into credit cards or mortgages until a few more laws are passed to pave the way for securitisation and secondary trading of consumer debt.Nor, argues Felixberto Bustos, a professor at the Asian Institute of Management, will the SPAV law do anything to change the poor lending procedures that got the banks into trouble in the first place.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In the context of relationships, use "fling" to suggest a casual, short-lived affair, rather than a deep, meaningful connection.

Common error

Avoid using "fling" in professional or academic writing when describing throwing objects or engaging in activities where a more formal or precise verb would be appropriate. Opt for alternatives like "throw", "launch", or "undertake" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The word "fling" functions primarily as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it denotes the act of throwing something with force or enthusiasm. As a noun, it can describe an act of throwing, a brief relationship, or a period of unrestrained indulgence, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fling" is a versatile term functioning as both a verb and a noun, commonly used in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and can describe both physical actions of throwing with force and more abstract concepts like brief relationships or periods of indulgence. While its frequency is high, especially in informal settings, it's crucial to consider the register and context to ensure appropriate usage. Avoid overusing "fling" in formal academic or professional writing, opting instead for more precise alternatives. Understanding its nuances helps writers effectively convey intended meanings and avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurl

Replaces "fling" with a more forceful and violent connotation of throwing.

fling oneself

Emphasizes the act of throwing oneself into something enthusiastically.

toss

Suggests a lighter, more casual way of throwing compared to "fling".

brief romance

Replaces "fling" with a more delicate and romantic term for a short relationship.

pitch

Implies throwing something with a specific target or purpose.

short affair

A more formal term to describe a short relationship, often secret.

give it a try

Emphasizes the act of attempting something, similar to 'give it a fling'.

fleeting encounter

Highlights the temporary nature of the relationship, emphasizing the lack of permanence.

go on a spree

Suggests a period of excessive indulgence in a particular activity.

indulge

Focuses on enjoying an activity or experience without restraint.

FAQs

How can I use "fling" in a sentence?

You can use "fling" to describe throwing something with force, such as "He "flung" the door open". It can also refer to a brief, casual relationship, like "They had a summer "fling"".

What are some alternatives to "fling" when referring to throwing?

When describing the act of throwing, consider using alternatives like "hurl", "toss", or "pitch". The best choice depends on the force and precision of the throw.

What does "fling" mean in the context of relationships?

In the context of relationships, "fling" refers to a brief and often casual romantic or sexual relationship. It implies a lack of serious commitment or long-term intentions and can be substituted with terms like "brief romance" or "short affair".

Is it appropriate to use "fling" in formal writing?

While "fling" is grammatically correct, it might not always be appropriate for formal writing. In formal contexts, consider more precise or professional alternatives like "undertake" (for activities) or more formal verbs for throwing depending on the nuance you wish to convey.