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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Vocabulary

No flies on you

Hi, everybody.

What does it mean to say "No flies on you" and when is it appropriate to say it?

Can anyone help? Please?
  

Top answer

It is very informal, so only say it humorously to friends. 'There are no flies on you' means that 'you are very eager to accomplish' whatever task is under discussion, 'you are quick to act' in taking advantage of a situation. ' The image of the idiom is an animal which does not allow flying insects to alight on its body, by switching its tail or otherwise remaining very active.

— Mister Micawber

  • It is very informal, so only say it humorously to friends.
  • 'There are no flies on you' means that 'you are very eager to accomplish' whatever task is under discussion, 'you are quick to act' in taking advantage of a situation.
  • ' The image of the idiom is an animal which does not allow flying insects to alight on its body, by switching its tail or otherwise remaining very active.
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30 Answers
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It is very informal, so only say it humorously to friends. 'There are no flies on you' means that 'you are very eager to accomplish' whatever task is under discussion, 'you are quick to act' in taking advantage of a situation.

If two young men are sitting in a restaurant, and an attractive young lady enters unattended, one of the two young men might go over and start a casual conversati
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I wouldn't have dreamed of a more sufficient explanation. Thank you very much.
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0Hi There 02br
02br
00It's used to imply that someone is not 'the sharpest tool in the shed.' It is used sarcastically when someone says something stupid or is a bit slow to catch on... 02br
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00Hope this helps0-
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0Sorry, Anonymous, I disagree completely. Mr. M's explanation is the only one I know of. By remaining active, you don't give the flies a chance to settle down on you. I have NEVER heard it used to imply that someone is stupid. 02br
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00What do others have to say?0-
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0 I agree entirely with Mr. M, too. I heard the idiom sometimes used in the (somewhate simplified) sense of "hyperactive", which is pretty close anyway. 02br
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00Kajjo0-
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I believe it also used to mean that someone is quick to catch on to something and is not slow on understanding what is going on. I have heard this used in many tv programs when someone is talking and someone else then says this being sarcastic.
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0 01blockquote
01cite10Anonymous12cite10Hi There 12br
12br
10It's used to imply that someone is not 'the sharpest tool in the shed.' It is used sarcastically when someone says something stupid or is a bit slow to catch on... 12br
12br
10Hope this helps12br
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10I've never he
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0 01blockquote
01cite10Anonymous12cite10It's used to imply that someone is not 'the sharpest tool in the shed.' It is used sarcastically when someone says something stupid or is a bit slow to catch on...12blockquote
10 I use it to mean exactly the opposite.02br
00I agree with the meanings by Mr M, but I also use it to c
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Watch the pilot episode of Moonlighting- it's said in a sarcastic tone to Bruce Willis twice in the film.
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its an aussie saying when you are telling someone they are an idiot. anonymous is exactly right the rest of you mustnt be aussies mrm is totally wrong
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