flipflopping

flip-flop

[flip-flop] noun, adverb, verb, flip-flopped, flip-flop·ping.
noun
1.
Informal. a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy.
2.
a backward somersault.
3.
Also called flip-flop circuit. Electronics. an electronic circuit having two stable conditions, each one corresponding to one of two alternative input signals.
4.
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.
5.
the sound and motion of something flapping, as a wind-blown shutter; a banging to and fro.
6.
any backless, usually open-toed flat shoe or slipper.
7.
a flat, backless rubber sandal, usually secured on the foot by a thong between the first two toes, as for use at a beach, swimming pool, etc. Compare thong, zori.
8.
(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.
adverb
9.
with repeated sounds and motions, as of something flapping.
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a fool or simpleton; ninny.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
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verb (used without object)
10.
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.
11.
to execute a backward somersault.
12.
to flap; bang to and fro: The door flip-flopped in the high wind.
Also, flip-flap [flip-flap] , (for defs 2, 5, 9, 12), flip·flop (for defs 6, 7).

Origin:
1655–65

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
flip-flop
 
—n
1.  a backward handspring
2.  Also called: bistable an electronic device or circuit that can assume either of two stable states by the application of a suitable pulse
3.  informal chiefly (US) a complete change of opinion, policy, etc
4.  a repeated flapping or banging noise
5.  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
 
—vb , -flops, -flopping, -flopped
6.  informal chiefly (US) to make a complete change of opinion, policy, etc
7.  to move with repeated flaps
 
—adv
8.  with repeated flappings: to go flip-flop
 
[C16: reduplication of flip]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

flip-flop
also flip flop, "thong sandal," by 1972, imitative of the sound of walking in them (flip-flap had been used in various echoic senses since 1520s); sense of "complete reversal of direction" dates from 1900.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary

flip-flop definition


  1. n.
    a reversal. : The president denied making a flip-flop. He said he simply forgot his earlier position.
  2. n.
    the return trip of a long journey. (Citizens band radio. See also flip side.) : Didn't we chat on the flip-flop last week?
  3. in.
    to change direction or intensity. : Jed flip-flopped twice in the evening, leaving us where we started.
  4. in.
    to waver in one's decisions. : Well, you just flip-flop all you want. I know what I want.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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