flip

1
[ flip ]
See synonyms for flip on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),flipped, flip·ping.
  1. to toss or put in motion with a sudden impulse, as with a snap of a finger and thumb, especially so as to cause to turn over in the air: to flip a coin.

  2. to move (something) suddenly or jerkily.

  1. to turn over, especially with a short rapid gesture: to flip pancakes with a spatula.

  2. to cause to switch from one political party or candidate to another: Republicans flipped the Senate and increased their majority in the House.

  3. Slang.

    • to provide incriminating evidence about (an associate or accomplice); inform on: I only work with people I know won’t flip me.

    • to turn into an informer: The prosecutor will try to flip the defendant in exchange for a reduced sentence.

  4. to buy and sell (real estate or another asset) for a quick profit: The buyer flipped the house for double what he paid for it, just nine months after renovations were completed.

  5. to change (an opinion, stance, or way of thinking): Federal courts had ruled the practice unconstitutional, but an appeals judge flipped the decision.

  6. Slang. to make (someone) insane, irrational, angry, or highly excited (usually followed by out).

  7. Finance. to resell, especially quickly, or to refinance, as a mortgage loan.

verb (used without object),flipped, flip·ping.
  1. to make a flicking movement; strike at something smartly or sharply; snap.

  2. to move oneself with or as if with flippers: The seals flipped along the beach.

  1. to move with a jerk or jerks.

  2. to turn over or perform a somersault in the air.

  3. to switch from one political party or candidate to another: Formerly Democratic, our state has flipped to become red. Last November, most state legislatures saw fewer than five seats flip one way or the other.

  4. Slang to provide incriminating evidence about an associate or accomplice; inform on: They wanted me to flip on the guy who sold me the drugs.

  5. to change one’s opinion, stance, or way of thinking:The CEO has been accused of flipping on the issue of employee vacation time.

  6. to shift from one state, position, etc., to another: My mood seems to flip 180 degrees without any obvious triggers.

  7. Slang.

    • to react to something in an excited, astonished, or delighted manner: He really flipped over his new girlfriend.

    • to become insane, irrational, angry, or highly excited (often followed by out).

noun
  1. an instance of flipping; a smart tap or strike.

  2. a sudden jerk.

  1. a somersault, especially one performed in the air: a back flip off the diving board.

  2. Cards. a variety of seven-card stud in which each player receives the first four cards facedown and selects two of them to expose before receiving the next card.

  3. Slang. flip side.

Idioms about flip

  1. flip one's lid / wig, Slang. lid (def. 8).

  2. flip (someone) the bird, Slang. give (someone) the finger.

Origin of flip

1
First recorded in 1585–95; 1955–60 for def. 18; see origin at fillip

Other definitions for flip (2 of 3)

flip2
[ flip ]

noun
  1. a mixed drink made with liquor or wine, sugar, and egg, topped with powdered nutmeg and served hot or cold.

  2. a drink, popular especially in the 18th century, made with beer or ale mixed with rum or other liquor, sweetened and served hot.

Origin of flip

2
First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps noun use of flip1, so called from tossing or flipping of ingredients in preparation

Other definitions for flip (3 of 3)

flip3
[ flip ]

adjective,flip·per, flip·pest.Informal.
  1. flippant; pert: She answered with a flip remark.

Origin of flip

3
First recorded in 1840–50; adjective use of flip1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use flip in a sentence

  • The lights will be on again in two flips of a dead lamb's tail!

    Jane Journeys On | Ruth Comfort Mitchell
  • Some of them turned somersaults, others did complicated flips consisting of two or three spins in mid-air.

    Martian V.F.W. | G.L. Vandenburg
  • So, you require a number of flips before you inquire if there is heart activity?

    Warren Commission (6 of 26): Hearings Vol. VI (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
  • She was doing handstands and handwalks and forward and back flips in the lounge—under one point five gees yet.

    Subspace Survivors | E. E. Smith
  • Back into the room came the two brown men, like a couple of acrobats doing back flips.

    Dave Dawson at Truk | Robert Sydney Bowen

British Dictionary definitions for flip

flip

/ (flɪp) /


verbflips, flipping or flipped
  1. to throw (something light or small) carelessly or briskly; toss: he flipped me an envelope

  2. to throw or flick (an object such as a coin) so that it turns or spins in the air

  1. to propel by a sudden movement of the finger; flick: to flip a crumb across the room

  2. (foll by through) to read or look at (a book, newspaper, etc) quickly, idly, or incompletely

  3. (intr) (of small objects) to move or bounce jerkily

  4. (intr) to make a snapping movement or noise with the finger and thumb

  5. (intr) slang to fly into a rage or an emotional outburst (also in the phrases flip one's lid, flip one's top, flip out)

  6. (intr) slang to become ecstatic or very excited: he flipped over the jazz group

noun
  1. a snap or tap, usually with the fingers

  2. a rapid jerk

  1. a somersault, esp one performed in the air, as in a dive, rather than from a standing position

adjective
  1. informal impertinent, flippant, or pert

Origin of flip

1
C16: probably of imitative origin; see fillip

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012