catch flies

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catch flies (third-person singular simple present catches flies, present participle catching flies, simple past and past participle caught flies)

1. (idiomatic) To have one's mouth wide open for a prolonged period.

   You'd better close your mouth; are you trying to catch flies?

2. (theater, informal) Of an actor: to distract the audience by moving or gesturing when the focus should be elsewhere.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see catch,‎ fly.

• flytrap
• you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar