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flip

/flɪp/

/flɪp/

Other forms: flipped; flipping; flips

To flip is to turn or toss upside down, like flipping a mattress over. People flip out when excited, and a flip remark is disrespectful.

There are many types of flips and flipping. Gymnasts who turn themselves upside down are doing flips. Turning a pancake over is flipping it. Any quick, light motion can be described as a flip, like a quarterback flipping the ball to a receiver. When someone is extremely excited — and usually mad — they flip out. Also, flip comments are casual, quick, and disrespectful.

Definitions of flip
  1. verb
    turn upside down, or throw so as to reverse
    flip over the pork chop”
    synonyms: flip over, turn over
    see moresee less
    type of:
    turn
    change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
  2. verb
    toss with a sharp movement so as to cause to turn over in the air
    synonyms: twitch
    see moresee less
    type of:
    move
    move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion
  3. verb
    lightly throw to see which side comes up
    “I don't know what to do--I may as well flip a coin!”
    synonyms: toss
    see moresee less
    type of:
    turn
    change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
  4. noun
    an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return
    synonyms: somersault, somersaulting, somerset, summersault, summerset
    see moresee less
    types:
    flip-flop
    a backward somersault
    type of:
    tumble
    an acrobatic feat of rolling or turning end over end
  5. noun
    the act of flipping a coin
    synonyms: toss
    see moresee less
    type of:
    throw
    casting an object in order to determine an outcome randomly
  6. noun
    a dive in which the diver somersaults before entering the water
    see moresee less
    type of:
    dive, diving
    a headlong plunge into water
  7. verb
    cause to move with a flick
    synonyms: flick
    see moresee less
    type of:
    throw
    propel through the air
  8. verb
    move with a flick or light motion
    see moresee less
    type of:
    impel, propel
    cause to move forward with force
  9. verb
    throw or toss with a light motion
    flip me the beachball”
    synonyms: pitch, sky, toss
    see moresee less
    types:
    submarine
    throw with an underhand motion
    lag
    throw or pitch at a mark, as with coins
    throw back, toss back
    throw back with a quick, light motion
    type of:
    fling
    throw with force or recklessness
  10. verb
    cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation
    synonyms: switch, throw
    see moresee less
    types:
    switch on, turn on
    cause to operate by flipping a switch
    cut, switch off, turn off, turn out
    cause to stop operating by disengaging a switch
    kill
    cause to cease operating
    type of:
    engage, lock, mesh, operate
    keep engaged
  11. noun
    a sudden, quick movement
    “with a flip of the wrist”
    “the fish flipped over”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    throw
    the act of throwing (propelling something with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist)
  12. noun
    (sports) the act of throwing the ball to another member of your team
    synonyms: pass, toss
    see moresee less
    types:
    centering, hike, snap
    (American football) putting the ball in play by passing it (between the legs) to a back
    type of:
    throw
    the act of throwing (propelling something with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist)
  13. verb
    look through a book or other written material
    synonyms: flick, leaf, riff, riffle, thumb
    see moresee less
    type of:
    peruse
    examine or consider with attention and in detail
  14. verb
    react in an excited, delighted, or surprised way
    “he flipped when he heard that he was accepted into Princeton University”
    synonyms: flip out
    see moresee less
    type of:
    react, respond
    show a response or a reaction to something
  15. verb
    go mad, go crazy
    “He flipped when he heard that he was being laid off”
    synonyms: flip out
    see moresee less
    type of:
    change
    undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
  16. verb
    reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
    synonyms: alternate, flip-flop, interchange, switch, tack
    see moresee less
    type of:
    change by reversal, reverse, turn
    change to the contrary
  17. noun
    hot or cold alcoholic mixed drink containing a beaten egg
    see moresee less
    type of:
    mixed drink
    made of two or more ingredients
  18. adjective
    marked by casual disrespect
    “a flip answer to serious question”
    synonyms: impudent, insolent, snotty-nosed
    disrespectful
    exhibiting lack of respect; rude and discourteous
Pronunciation
US

/flɪp/

UK

/flɪp/

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