flow

flow1 [ flou ] noun ***

1. ) count or uncount the continuous movement of a liquid in one direction:

drugs that improve the blood flow around the body

flow of: Leaves in the ditch were blocking the flow of water.

a ) the continuous movement of a line of vehicles or people:

The new system should speed up the traffic flow.

flow of: There was a steady flow of refugees leaving the country.

2. ) count or uncount a supply of something that continues without stopping:

Reducing tariffs is the key to developing a substantial trade flow.

the agency's work flow

flow of: News media provided a steady flow of information about the war.

3. ) count or uncount a way of talking or thinking in an easy natural way, without any pauses or difficulties:

flow of: She kept up an easy flow of conversation throughout the flight.

The phone rang, interrupting the flow of his thoughts.

4. ) singular the movement of the ocean in toward the land:

the ebb and flow of the tide

go with the flow SPOKEN

to do what seems like the easiest thing in a particular situation:

Stop complaining and just go with the flow!

flow

flow 2 [ flou ] verb intransitive **

▸ 1 move continuously

▸ 2 when supply continues

▸ 3 about words/ideas

▸ 4 suddenly have feeling

▸ 5 about hair/clothing

▸ 6 when people drink a lot

▸ 7 when ocean moves

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) if a liquid flows, it moves smoothly and continuously in one direction:

Her tears began to flow more freely.

flow through/around/from: Hot water flows through the pipes.

Blood flowed from the wound on her face.

flow into: The Sacramento River flows into San Francisco Bay.

a ) if an electric current flows, it passes continuously through something

b ) if a line of people or vehicles flows, it moves steadily without stopping:

flow past/by/into: A constant stream of people flowed past.

2. ) if a supply of something flows, it continues without stopping:

We have to keep information flowing within the company.

flow into/from etc.: Millions of dollars of new investment are flowing into the region.

3. ) if words or ideas flow, they follow each other in an easy, natural, continuous way:

The conversation did not flow smoothly.

When I write, the words just flow from my pen.

4. ) if a feeling flows through you, you suddenly feel it strongly:

flow through/over/into: Excitement and energy seemed to flow right through me.

5. ) if hair or clothing flows, it falls or moves in a smooth graceful way around someone's body

6. ) INFORMAL if alcoholic drinks flow, people drink a lot of them:

Champagne flowed freely all evening.

7. ) if the TIDE flows, the ocean comes in toward the land

`flow ,from phrasal verb transitive FORMAL

flow from something to be a natural result of something:

Important consequences flow from this decision.