die/drop/fall like flies
die like flies
To succumb to a particular problem, often an illness, in large numbers. People will be dying like flies if we are unable to contain this infection.
See also: die, flies, like
drop like flies
To succumb to a particular problem, often an illness. This phrase is typically only used when more than one person has been adversely affected. Now that the flu is going through our school, people are dropping like flies.
See also: drop, flies, like
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
drop like flies
Fig. to faint, sicken, collapse, or die, in great numbers like houseflies dying in a large group. It was a terrible year for the flu. People were dropping like flies.
See also: drop, flies, like
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
drop like flies
Rapidly collapse, die, or drop out, usually referring to a group rather than an individual. For example, The words were so difficult that the spelling bee contestants were dropping like flies. The simile like flies has meant "in large numbers," as it does in this expression, since about 1600.
See also: drop, flies, like
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
die (or drop) like flies
die or collapse in large numbers.See also: die, flies, like
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
die/drop/fall like ˈflies
die, become ill, etc. in large numbers: During the epidemic people were dropping like flies.See also: die, drop, fall, flies, like
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- die like flies
- go down like ninepins
- go down, drop, etc. like ninepins
- drop like flies
- drop like flies, to
- drop like ninepins
- ninepin
- fall like ninepins
- like flies to manure
- die to