flick out

flick out

1. To quickly shoot out, usually of the tongue. The kids watched with glee as the frog's sticky tongue flicked out.
2. To cause something to quickly shoot out, as of the tongue. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "flick" and "out." The kids watched with glee as the frog flicked its sticky tongue out.
3. To extend outward, as of a flame. Move those papers away from the candle in case the flame flicks out.
See also: flick, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

flick something out

[for a reptile] to push out its tongue quickly. The lizard flicked its tongue out repeatedly. The lizard kept flicking out its tongue at regular intervals.
See also: flick, out

flick out

 
1. [for the ends of a flame] to reach out as the flame burns. The flames of the campfire flicked out and threatened the cold fingers that were too close. The flames flicked out from the burning house and set a nearby tree on fire.
2. [for the tongue of a reptile] to come out suddenly. The snake's tongue flicked out regularly. The lizard's tongue flicked out, grabbed the insect and ate it.
See also: flick, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • go hell for leather
  • a little pot is soon hot
  • hell-bent for leather
  • peek in
  • peek in(to something)
  • peep in
  • peep in(to something)
  • hell for leather
  • flood in
  • flood in(to) (something)
References in classic literature
In his youth One Eye had once sniffed too near a similar, apparently inert ball of quills, and had the tail flick out suddenly in his face.
"The concept is to stop players getting sent off for these wee flick outs we have seen.