Flies vs. Flys

Flies is the correct plural form of fly, while flys is not a standard English word.

What does flies mean?

Flies is the correct plural form of the noun "fly." When you see multiple insects of the fly species, you would refer to them as "flies."

Example sentence

There are so many flies around the food!

Flys is not a standard word in English. However, it is a common misspelling or typographical error that people make when trying to create the plural form of "fly." The correct plural form, as mentioned earlier, is "flies."

On the other hand, flys can be a verb form, but it's typically the third person singular form of the verb "to fly." For instance, you might say, "She flies to New York every month for business." Here, "flys" is used to indicate the action of flying performed by a singular subject (she).

Example sentences

The flies were attracted to the ripe fruit in the kitchen, so we had to cover it.
It's important to keep your food covered when dining outdoors to prevent flies from landing on it.
The buzzing of flies in the barn was constant during the hot summer months.
The flyswatter was our weapon of choice to deal with the persistent flies in the cabin.
She opened the window to let in some fresh air but accidentally allowed a few flies to enter the room.
Flies can be carriers of disease, so it's crucial to maintain good hygiene in food preparation areas.
The children tried to catch flies with a net in the garden, turning it into a fun game.
The garbage bin was infested with flies due to the decaying food inside.
He couldn't enjoy his camping trip because the tent was filled with flies attracted to the leftover food.
The farmers used fly traps to control the flies in the livestock area.

Common idioms/phrases

The word "flies" or "flys" is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions or phrases. However, the word "fly" (in its various forms) can be found in several idioms and phrases:

Time flies: This idiom means that time passes quickly or seems to move rapidly. For example, "I can't believe it's already evening; time flies when you're having fun."
Fly in the ointment: This phrase refers to a small problem or issue that spoils an otherwise enjoyable or positive situation. It suggests that a tiny flaw can have a significant impact.
Fly on the wall: This expression describes someone who is inconspicuous and observes a situation without being noticed. For example, "I wish I could be a fly on the wall during their meeting to hear what they're saying."
Fly by the seat of one's pants: This idiom means to do something by instinct or intuition without careful planning. It implies taking a risky or spontaneous approach.
Let fly: This phrase means to release or express something forcefully, often used in the context of anger, criticism, or physical actions. For example, "She let fly with a barrage of criticism."
Fly off the handle: This expression describes someone who loses their temper or becomes extremely angry suddenly and unexpectedly.
Like a fly to honey: This phrase is used to describe someone who is irresistibly attracted to something or someone. It implies a strong and almost uncontrollable desire.
Buzzword: While not an idiom, the term "buzzword" is used to describe a trendy or fashionable word or phrase that is often used in discussions, marketing, or media. It's derived from the idea of a "buzz" or "fly" of attention around a particular word or concept.

Remember that these idiomatic expressions and phrases primarily use the word "fly" in various contexts, and "flys" is not commonly used in idiomatic language.

In summary, "flies" is the correct plural form of "fly," while "flys" is not a standard word in English but can be the third person singular form of the verb "to fly." It's important to use the appropriate form to maintain clarity and accuracy in your writing and communication.

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