flip

See also Flip

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪp

Etymology 1

Alteration of earlier fillip, from Middle English filippen (“to make a signal or sound with thumb and right forefinger, snap the fingers”), an attenuated variation of Middle English flappen (“to flap, clap, slap, strike”). Cognate with Dutch flappen (“to flap”), German flappen (“to flap”).

Noun

flip (plural flips)

1. A maneuver which rotates an object end-over-end.

Derived terms

• back-flip
• flipside
• flipper
• flip out
• flip off

Verb

flip (third-person singular simple present flips, present participle flipping, simple past and past participle flipped)

1. (transitive) To throw (as in to turn over).

   You need to flip the pancake onto the other side.

   • 2011 September 16, Ben Dirs, “Rugby World Cup 2011: New Zealand 83-7 Japan”, BBC Sport:

     However, the hosts hit back and hit back hard, first replacement hooker Andrew Hore sliding over, then Williams careering out of his own half and leaving several defenders for dead before flipping the ball to Nonu to finish off a scintillating move.

2. (transitive) To put into a quick revolving motion through a snap of the thumb and index finger.

   If you can't decide which option to go for, flip a coin.

3. (intransitive, slang) To go berserk or crazy.

   I'd flip if anyone broke my phone.

4. To buy an asset (usually a house), improve it and sell it quickly for profit.

Translations

To throw (as in to turn over)

Finnish: heittää ilmaan German: umdrehen (de), wenden (de)

Romanian: a întoarce, a răsturna

To put into a quick revolving motion through a snap of the thumb and index finger

German: werfen (de)

To go berserk or crazy

Finnish: pimahtaa (fi), seota (fi)

German: ausflippen (de)

• Spanish: flipado (es)

Synonyms

• (to throw, to turn over): turn, turn over
• (to put into a quick revolving motion): toss

Etymology 2

Apparently a euphemism for fuck.

Interjection

flip

1. (UK, mildly vulgar) used to express annoyance, especially when the speaker has made an error.
   • 1967, Peter Shaffer, Black comedy, including White lies: two plays

     Impossible. He's dining out and coming on here after. He can't be reached. / Oh, flip!

   • 2000, Susan McKay, Northern Protestants

     "Oh flip, don't come near this place," she said. It was dangerous. The Catholics had banners up on the Garvaghy Road saying, 'No Protestants here'.

Synonyms

• damn

Etymology 3

From flippant, by shortening.

Adjective

flip (comparative flipper, superlative flippest)

1. (UK, informal) Having the quality of playfulness, or lacking seriousness of purpose.

   I hate to be flip, but perhaps we could steal a Christmas tree.

2. sarcastic

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Dutch

Verb

flip

1. first-person singular present indicative of flippen.
2. imperative of flippen.

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French

Pronunciation

• IPA: /flip/, SAMPA: /flip/

Noun

flip m. (plural flips)

1. a type of alcoholic punch from Normandy, composed of cider and calvados
2. (gymnastics) backflip