The phrasal verb "flick through" is most commonly used in informal contexts rather than formal speech. It is frequently applied when referring to the action of quickly turning the pages of a book, magazine, or other publication without engaging deeply with the content. This phrasal verb is often used when someone is skimming through materials in search of particular information, or when they are casually browsing to get a general sense of the content. "Flick through" is a versatile expression that can be used in both personal and casual professional contexts when discussing actions related to reading or reviewing materials on a superficial level. Its informal nature makes it less likely to be used in formal writing or official documentation, where more precise terms such as "review cursorily" or "skim through" might be preferred.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To quickly turn the pages of a book, magazine, or other printed material, looking at them briefly.
I like to flick through magazines when I'm waiting in the doctor's office.
Before buying the book, she flicked through its pages to see if it was interesting.
He flicks through the newspaper every morning but only reads the headlines.
They flicked through the brochure for ideas on home decor.