taking a flutter

Verb

take a flutter (third-person singular simple present takes a flutter, present participle taking a flutter, simple past took a flutter, past participle taken a flutter)

1. To flutter for a short period of time.
   • Jenny's pulse took a flutter at the word 'newspaper' now knowing that she was guilty.2016 -, Laurie Pegrum, Looking at Clouds, page 218
2. (Canada, UK) To place a small bet.
   • Hughes takes a flutter on the nearest six, nickel bets on thirty-one to thirty-six.2010, Steven Manners, Valley of Fire
3. (Canada, UK) To support a risky option.
   • You'd hardly believe how difficult it was to interest the public and make them take a flutter on the old boy.1919, P.G. Wodehouse, My Man Jeeves