flow

Universal Words noun, verb noun [C,usually sing,U] continuous movement 1 ~ (of sth/sb) the steady and continuous movement of sth in one direction: She tried to stop the flow of blood from the wound. * an endless flow of refugees into the country * to improve traffic flow (= make it move faster) * to control the direction of flow * a steady flow of traffic through the city * air / gas / energy flow * the flow of an electric current production / supply 2 ~ (of sth) the continuous production or supply of sth: the flow of goods and services to remote areas * to encourage the free flow of information * data flow seealsoCASHFLOW of speech / writing 3 continuous talk by sb: You've interrupted my flow-I can't remember what I was saying. * As usual, Tom was in full flow. 4 ~ of sth the way that words and ideas are linked together in speech or writing: Too many examples can interrupt the smooth flow of the text. * I found it hard to follow the flow of the argument. of the sea 5 the movement of the sea towards the land: the ebb and flow of the tide IDIOMS go with the flow (informal) to be relaxed and not worry about what you should do moreatEBBn. verb [V] move continuously 1 ~ (back / down, etc.)