flip-flop
Informal. a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy.
a backward somersault.
Also called flip-flop circuit. Electronics. an electronic circuit having two stable conditions, each one corresponding to one of two alternative input signals.
any of several similar devices having two alternative states, the change of state being caused by some input signal or by some change of input.
the sound and motion of something flapping, as a windblown shutter; a banging to and fro.
any backless, usually open-toed flat shoe or slipper.
(in advertising) a display or presentation, usually on an easel, consisting of a series of pages hinged at the top and flipped over in sequence.
with repeated sounds and motions, as of something flapping.
Informal. to make a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy: The opposition claimed that the president had flip-flopped on certain issues.
to execute a backward somersault.
to flap; bang to and fro: The door flip-flopped in the high wind.
Origin of flip-flop
1- Also flip-flap [flip-flap] /ˈflɪpˌflæp/ (for defs. 2, 5, 9, 12), flipflop (for defs. 6, 7).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use flip-flop in a sentence
And so far, all he is getting for his trouble is charges of flip-flopping.
The Secret to Rand Paul’s Foreign Policy: His Father | W. James Antle III | September 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut this kind of flip-flopping can be used against him, too.
But Mitt Romney, who took the gold in flip-flopping during the primaries, is anything but a candidate of hard truths.
The Anti-Reagan: Even A Hologram Of The Gipper Overshadows Mitt Romney | Will Marshall | September 1, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTIn a devastating ad, footage of Kerry riding the breeze of Nantucket was juxtaposed with hits on his alleged “flip-flopping.”
Santorum’s Audi and Other Political Transportation Follies | Ben Jacobs | February 18, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTSuch familiarity insulates Gingrich from the kind of flip-flopping charges that have proved so corrosive for Romney.
Iowa Conservatives Forgive Newt Gingrich for His Past Mistakes | Howard Kurtz | December 13, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
Seconds later there was just a great big ball of seething flame flip-flopping down into oblivion.
Dave Dawson on the Russian Front | R. Sidney BowenFreddy Farmer's plane stopped flip-flopping and spinning around abruptly.
Dave Dawson with the Commandos | R. Sidney Bowen
British Dictionary definitions for flip-flop
a backward handspring
Also called: bistable an electronic device or circuit that can assume either of two stable states by the application of a suitable pulse
informal, mainly US a complete change of opinion, policy, etc
a repeated flapping or banging noise
Also called (US, Canadian, Austral, and NZ): thong a rubber-soled sandal attached to the foot by a thong between the big toe and the next toe
informal, mainly US to make a complete change of opinion, policy, etc
to move with repeated flaps
with repeated flappings: to go flip-flop
Origin of flip-flop
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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