flimflam: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Humorous, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “flimflam” mean?
Nonsense, deceptive talk, or frivolous chatter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Nonsense, deceptive talk, or frivolous chatter; a confidence trick or swindle.
Can refer to any elaborate but essentially empty, deceptive, or trivial activity or discourse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more prevalent in American English, especially in historical contexts referring to cons and scams. In UK English, it may lean slightly more towards the sense of 'nonsense' or 'triviality'.
Connotations
Both varieties share the core connotations of trickery and nonsense. The word's playful sound can soften the accusation of dishonesty.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, considered a colourful but somewhat dated informal term.
Grammar
How to Use “flimflam” in a Sentence
[Subject] flimflammed [Object] out of [Money/Thing]That's (just/absolute) flimflam.Don't flimflam me.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flimflam” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He tried to flimflam the old lady out of her savings with a fake investment scheme.
- Don't think you can flimflam your way out of this one.
American English
- The carny was arrested for flimflamming tourists with a rigged game.
- They flimflammed the system for years before getting caught.
adverb
British English
- He talked flimflam, weaving an elaborate but false tale.
American English
- He answered flimflam, avoiding the direct question entirely.
adjective
British English
- He was known for his flimflam tactics in the used car trade.
- The proposal was dismissed as flimflam nonsense.
American English
- It was a flimflam operation from the start, designed to take your money.
- He gave some flimflam excuse about his dog eating the report.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used humorously to describe a dubious sales pitch or a convoluted, deceptive financial scheme.
Academic
Virtually unused except in historical or linguistic studies of reduplicatives or colloquial language.
Everyday
Used informally to dismiss an unconvincing story or excuse, or to describe a petty scam.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flimflam”
- Using it in formal writing. Confusing it with 'film'. Incorrectly pluralising as 'flimflams' (usually uncountable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and often humorous or slightly archaic. It is not suitable for formal writing.
Yes, though less common than the noun form. As a verb, it means 'to swindle or deceive someone', often with smooth talk (e.g., 'They flimflammed him out of his watch').
Both imply deception. 'Scam' is more direct, modern, and serious. 'Flimflam' often suggests a smaller-scale, more talk-based, or somewhat old-fashioned trickery, and its sound makes it less harsh.
Yes, such a person is often called a 'flimflam man', 'flimflam artist', or 'flimflammer'.
Nonsense, deceptive talk, or frivolous chatter.
Flimflam: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflɪmflæm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflɪmˌflæm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A flimflam artist”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a fast-talking 'film' director making a 'flam' (old word for lie) – it's all just a flimflam.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTIVE SPEECH IS WORTHLESS MATERIAL (e.g., rubbish, fluff).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'flimflam' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?