flip
B1Informal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To turn over quickly or with a sharp movement.
To change suddenly, especially in attitude, opinion, or emotional state; to operate a switch; to toss something lightly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a quick, light, or casual action. Can describe physical movement, mental change, or financial trading.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Flip' is used similarly in both varieties. The noun 'flip-flop' (sandal) is common in both, but the verb 'to flip-flop' (change opinion) is slightly more frequent in American political discourse.
Connotations
Generally neutral. In informal contexts, can imply impulsiveness or lack of seriousness (e.g., 'flip a coin to decide').
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
flip somethingflip something overflip through somethingflip outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “flip your lid”
- “flip side”
- “flip the script”
- “flip out”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In property, 'to flip a house' means to buy, renovate, and sell quickly for profit.
Academic
Rare in formal writing except in specific fields like physics (flip spin) or computing (bit flip).
Everyday
Very common for cooking (flip a pancake), deciding (flip a coin), or browsing (flip through a magazine).
Technical
In electronics, 'to flip a bit'; in gymnastics, a type of acrobatic rotation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He'll flip the breaker to restore power.
- She flipped the omelette expertly.
American English
- He'll flip the switch to turn on the lights.
- She flipped the burger on the grill.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; usually part of a phrasal verb like 'turn flip').
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; usually part of a phrasal verb).
adjective
British English
- He gave a flip answer to the serious question.
- The flip comment was not appreciated.
American English
- She has a flip attitude about her responsibilities.
- His flip remark annoyed the teacher.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Flip the pancake when the edges are brown.
- Can you flip the switch? It's dark in here.
- I'll flip a coin to decide who goes first.
- He quickly flipped through the magazine.
- The market sentiment could flip dramatically after the announcement.
- She flipped the mattress to make it last longer.
- The politician was accused of flipping his position on the tax bill.
- Investors aim to flip properties in a rising market.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a pancake doing a quick FLIP in the pan – short, sharp, and over.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS PHYSICAL ROTATION (e.g., 'His opinion flipped overnight').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как 'щелчок' (это 'click' или 'snap').
- В значении 'перелистывать' не использовать 'переворачивать страницу' (это 'turn the page'), 'flip through' подразумевает быстрое и невнимательное листание.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'flip' for a slow, deliberate turn (use 'turn over' instead).
- Confusing 'flip' (quick action) with 'throw' (propel through air).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'flip' NOT imply a quick or casual action?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily informal or neutral. In very formal writing, synonyms like 'invert' or 'overturn' may be preferred.
'Flip' often implies a turning motion (flip a pancake), while 'toss' implies a throwing motion with less emphasis on rotation (toss a salad). For coins, they are interchangeable.
Yes, informally. 'Flip out' means to become very angry or excited suddenly. 'His boss flipped out when he saw the mistake.'
It's an idiom meaning the opposite or less obvious aspect of a situation. 'The flip side of working from home is the lack of social interaction.'