flitting about

USAGE SUMMARY

"flitting about" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something moving quickly and lightly from one place to another. Example: The butterflies were flitting about the garden, adding color to the flowers. Alternative expressions include "fluttering around," "darting about," and "skimming around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ms. Golden bristles, her platinum-painted fingernails flitting about impatiently.

The New York Times

Party leaders were flitting about everywhere and not spending enough time in one place, he added.

The Guardian

Ms. Plumb, blond and charming in her black dress, was flitting about, explaining the inspiration for her artwork.

The New York Times

Numerous species of woodpeckers, flitting about and drumming on the trunks, are entirely dependent on standing dead trees.

The Guardian - Travel

It is this view of life that illuminates the famous passage at the end of "The Origin" where Darwin writes of the "entangled bank" of existence, "clothed with many plants of many kinds, with birds singing on the bushes, with various insects flitting about, and with worms crawling through the damp earth," all produced through the blind agency of natural selection.

The New Yorker

It begins in the 1950s, but then starts flitting about as Kapuscinksi himself flitted from continent to continent, learning the journalistic trade of which he finally proved to be such a master.How did the first historian of ancient Greece help a journalist from post-war Poland to get a handle on the slippery world?

The Economist

As he walked me out of the university -- a place so Gothic that it could be Oxford, but for the intensely flowering jacaranda in one corner and the strange Southern Hemisphere birds flitting about -- and toward the freeway back to downtown Sydney, Snyder for his part radiated the most convincingly ebullient optimism.

The New York Times - Magazine

"With birds singing on the bushes, with various insects flitting about, and with worms crawling through the damp earth, and to reflect that these elaborately constructed forms, so different from each other, and dependent on each other in so complex a manner, have all been produced by laws acting around us". Darwin resisted an automatic, or breakneck approach.

The Guardian

Here is a glance at the big four neighbourhoods: With all those flirtatious aromas flitting about, a thorough feeding is both encouraged and inevitable.

BBC

Still, you have no idea how much I will miss youth baseball when it ends very soon: the conversations, the spring grass as soft as cilantro, the siblings flitting about like sparrows.

Los Angeles Times

Photographers were flitting about.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flitting about" to describe light, quick, and often aimless movement. It is suitable for both literal and figurative contexts, adding a touch of whimsy or lightness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "flitting about" in highly formal or technical writing. Its informal tone may be inappropriate for academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise and professional vocabulary when necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flitting about" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing a manner of movement. It adds detail to verbs like "moving", "flying", or "running", specifying that the action is quick, light, and often aimless. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is generally considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "flitting about" describes quick, light, and aimless movement and is commonly used in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to informal contexts, as it can appear out of place in more formal or technical writing. Consider alternatives like "darting around" or "fluttering around" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The best practice is to use the term when you want to give a light or whimsical feeling to your writing. The key is to not misuse "flitting about" in a formal setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flitting around

Similar to "flitting about", but "around" can imply a less defined area.

flitting here and there

Emphasizes the scattered and directionless nature of the movement.

darting around

Emphasizes quick, sudden movements in various directions.

fluttering around

Suggests a lighter, more graceful movement, often associated with wings.

zipping around

Highlights speed and agility in movement.

skimming over

Implies a superficial movement across a surface.

dancing around

Suggests a playful or whimsical movement, sometimes avoiding a direct path.

roaming around

Implies moving around freely, covering more territory.

meandering around

Highlights a slow, winding, and undirected movement.

moving lightly

Focuses on the gentle nature of the movement, rather than the speed.

FAQs

What does "flitting about" mean?

The phrase "flitting about" describes moving quickly and lightly from place to place, often without a clear purpose or direction. It suggests a delicate, almost whimsical movement.

How to use "flitting about" in a sentence?

You can use "flitting about" to describe the movement of insects, birds, or even people. For example: "Butterflies were "darting around" the garden."

What can I say instead of "flitting about"?

Alternatives to "flitting about" include "fluttering around", "darting around", or "skimming over", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "flitting about" formal or informal?

"Flitting about" is generally considered an informal phrase. While acceptable in many contexts, it may not be appropriate for highly formal or technical writing. Consider using more precise language in such situations.