SINCE 1828
drop like flies
idiomDefinition of drop like flies
informal
: to become ill or die over a short period of time and in large numbers
Horses and cattle dropped like flies during the drought. The heat was so intense that people were dropping like flies.
—often used figuratively Candidates were dropping like flies during the early part of the campaign.
Comments on drop like flies
What made you want to look up drop like flies? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Word Puzzles
-
- Which answer pairs best with each of the following words? living, estate, club, music, road, mile
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Word Puzzles
Challenge yourself with these word puzzles. Can you solve them all?
Take the quiz -
Where in the World? A Quiz
Do you know what languages these words come from?
Take the quiz -
Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz -
Syn City
Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.
Play the game
Share drop like flies
Resources for drop like flies