flick (pass), the, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

flick (pass), the n.

(Aus.) dismissal; usu. in phrs. below.

1988

Sun. Tel. 4 Dec. TV guide 13: The year is 2274 and life in glassdomed city is a perpetual piece of cake for its hedonists. But the fun wheel stops dead on 30, the age for compulsory ‘renewal’ that, in reality, means the flick.

In phrases

get the flick (pass) (v.) [a dismissive flick of the fingers]

(Aus.) to be dismissed from one’s job, to be rejected in other contexts (usu. of relationships).

1987		K. Lette Girls’ Night Out (1995) 27: Anyway, the bloke who got the low scores made sure we got the flick pass.
1993		T. Winton Lockie Leonard: Scumbuster (1995) 160: This was worse than getting the flick from a girl.
2002		BRW.com 5 Dec. 🌐 Lew’s chances of retaining a seat at the Coles Myer boardroom table are extremely remote, and it is increasingly likely that his one supporter on the board – lawyer Mark Leibler – will also get the flick.
2002		Descent World Feb. 🌐 I remember qualifying about 50th and I hadn’t exactly been having a Stella season so I thought I was gonna get the flick.
2006		P. Shannon Davey Darling 232: Even if he goes to jail he’ll make sure I get the flick because I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain.

give someone the flick (v.)

(Aus./UK teen) to snub or reject someone, to end a relationship, to dismiss.

1986		R.G. Barrett Godson 361: Les told the girl [...] what he did to the one who gave him the flick.
1996		J. Byrell Lairs, Urgers & Coat-Tuggers 173: Baroda didn’t exactly have a stroke or even a small fit but he did give Edgar the royal flick.
2001		OnLine Dict. of Playground Sl. 🌐 (give the...) flick n. break up with a partner.
2004		T. Winton ‘Long, Clear View’ in Turning (2005) 196: You never show up for basketball training so the team gives you the flick.
2005		P. Howard Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightdress 131: He gave her the flick because the old PCS was wrecking his head.
2007		S. Maloney Sucked In 66: The wife [...] was long gone. Gave him the flick some time back.
2020		G. Disher Consolation 144: ‘Given the flick by Mrs Ayliffe so he takes it out on the daughter’.

give something the flick (v.)

(Aus.) to throw something away, to ignore.

1982		National Times 3 Oct. 45: He left school at 16, lasted eight months as a fitter and turner, but then ‘I give it the flick – the boss was an arsehole.’.
1988		Sun. Mail (Brisbane) 5 June TV guide 2: Benny Hill fans benefit on Tuesday on TVO when L.A. Law is given the flick for one week only.
1990		Aus. Children’s Folklore Newsletter #18 11/2: I don’t know, you get invited out to dinner on consecutive Sunday nights and return to the radio to find that ‘Games we played as kids’ has been ‘given the flick’.
2004		T. Winton Turning (2005) 147: On Tuesday she gave darts the flick again and went over to Dan and Sherry’s.