A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharger, a discharge receptacle, and circuitry. The liquid discharger includes a nozzle configured to discharge liquid. The discharge receptacle is configured to receive the liquid discharged from the liquid discharger. The circuitry is configured to control a flushing operation of the liquid discharger. The circuitry is configured to cause the liquid discharger to perform flushing to the discharge receptacle and a sheet to which the liquid is applied, with a first flushing amount and a second flushing amount different from the first flushing amount, respectively.