flutter about (v.+adv.)
▲flutter about
1.拍翅膀 fly with light movements of wings
There is a bird fluttering about inside the chimney. How can we get it out?烟囱中有一只鸟在拍打翅膀,我们怎么把它弄出来?
2.焦虑地乱动 move with quick nervous movements
The women were all fluttering about finishing their preparations for the wedding.女人们做好婚礼准备后显得不安。

flutter down (v.+adv.)
飘落 descend in light twisting movements
▲flutter down
It was autumn, and leaves were fluttering down in the light wind.现在是秋天,树叶在微风中飘落下来。

用作不及物动词
▲S+～(+A)
I could hear the birds' wings fluttering on the roof.我能听到鸟的翅膀在屋顶上拍打。
The birds fluttered in the trees.鸟在林中飞。
The colored flags are fluttering in the breeze.彩旗在微风中飘扬。
His heart fluttered with excitement.他因激动而心跳得厉害。
用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
The bird fluttered its wings in the bird's nest.小鸟在巢里拍动翅膀。
She fluttered her eyelashes at him.她对他眨眼。
She fluttered her handkerchief from the train window as a goodbye.她从火车车窗向外挥动手帕告别。

flutter, flit, flitter
这三个词都表示以类似鸟那样的运动方式来移动。其区别在于:flutter强调不稳定性和颤动性; flit强调轻快、迅速; 而flitter则兼而有之。

She was in a great flutter about traveling by airplane.她对于乘飞机旅行感到紧张。
He felt a flutter of excitement.他感到一阵激动。

［词源］＜古英语floterian(来回飘动)