flypaper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Technical (military)
Quick answer
What does “flypaper” mean?
A strip of sticky paper, often coated with a sweet substance, hung to catch and trap flies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A strip of sticky paper, often coated with a sweet substance, hung to catch and trap flies.
Something that attracts and entraps people or things, often in a problematic or inescapable situation. Can also refer to a military strategy where a defensive position draws in and holds enemy forces.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The object is equally known in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes old-fashioned, somewhat crude pest control. The metaphorical use may carry a slightly negative connotation of entrapment.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties. More common in its literal sense; metaphorical use is niche.
Grammar
How to Use “flypaper” in a Sentence
hang flypaperflypaper traps fliesbe stuck to flypaperuse flypaperVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flypaper” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The new regulations acted as a flypaper for bureaucratic delays.'
Academic
Very rare, except in historical or cultural studies of domestic life.
Everyday
Literal use when discussing old-fashioned pest control. 'Grandad still uses flypaper in the shed.'
Technical
In military jargon, 'flypaper strategy' denotes a defensive tactic to pin down enemy forces.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flypaper”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flypaper”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flypaper”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I will flypaper the kitchen').
- Confusing it with 'flyer' or 'paper fly'.
- Misspelling as 'fly paper' (two words is less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as one word ('flypaper'), though the open form 'fly paper' is also occasionally seen.
No, 'flypaper' is not standardly used as a verb. You would say 'put up flypaper' or 'use flypaper' instead.
Its use has declined in domestic settings with the advent of electric fly zappers, sprays, and other modern pest control methods, but it is still available and understood.
It metaphorically describes something that attracts and then traps or ensnares people, things, or attention, often in a negative or problematic way.
A strip of sticky paper, often coated with a sweet substance, hung to catch and trap flies.
Flypaper is usually informal, technical (military) in register.
Flypaper: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflaɪˌpeɪpə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflaɪˌpeɪpər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like flies to flypaper (intense attraction)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FLY + PAPER. Imagine paper that flies stick to, just like sticky paper.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTRACTION IS STICKINESS / A PROBLEMATIC SITUATION IS A TRAP
Practice
Quiz
In a military context, what does 'flypaper strategy' refer to?