handspring
C2Technical (gymnastics), Figurative (literary/formal).
Definition
Meaning
A gymnastic move where a person leaps forward or backward onto their hands and then pushes off to land back on their feet.
A rapid, complete reversal of position or circumstances, often used metaphorically.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun referring to a specific physical skill. Its metaphorical use is extended, implying a sudden, dramatic, and complete change or acrobatic feat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. The word is equally used in both varieties within gymnastics contexts.
Connotations
Identical core connotations. The metaphorical use might be slightly more frequent in American literary/journalistic contexts.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language, equally specialized in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
do a [ADJ] handspringperform a handspring [PREP] the matVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] do a complete handspring: to change one's opinion or position completely and abruptly.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Used metaphorically: 'The company's strategy did a complete handspring after the merger.'
Academic
Very rare outside of sports science or literary analysis.
Everyday
Rare. Limited to discussions of gymnastics, cheerleading, or parkour.
Technical
Core usage in gymnastics, acrobatics, and circus arts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The gymnast will handspring across the floor in her routine.
- He managed to handspring his way out of the tight corner.
American English
- The cheerleader can handspring the length of the basketball court.
- The plot handsprings from one crisis to the next.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is learning to do a handspring in her gymnastics class.
- The gymnast's flawless back handspring earned her extra points from the judges.
- After the scandal, the minister's opinion did a complete handspring.
- The novel's narrative executes a breathtaking thematic handspring in its final chapter, upending all reader expectations.
- His argument performed a series of logical handsprings to arrive at that dubious conclusion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of your HANDS from which you SPRING during the move: HAND + SPRING.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMPLEX CHANGE IS AN ACROBATIC MANEUVER (e.g., 'The political landscape did a handspring').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'кувырок' (somersault/roll) or 'сальто' (flip/somersault). 'Handspring' specifically requires hand contact and a springing motion.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'handspring' to refer to a simple cartwheel (which has continuous hand contact).
- Confusing 'front handspring' with a 'front flip' (the latter has no hand support).
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, what does 'the company did a handspring' most likely mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A backflip is a jump backwards with a full rotation in the air without hand support. A back handspring uses the hands to push off the ground during the rotation.
Yes, though it is less common. It means to perform a handspring or move in a springing, acrobatic manner (e.g., 'The character handspringed over the obstacle').
A front handspring lands on two feet, facing forward. A round-off is similar but involves a half-twist, landing on two feet facing the direction you came from, and is typically used as a setup for other moves.
It is used metaphorically to describe a sudden, dramatic, and complete reversal or change, often in opinion, policy, or fortune (e.g., 'The government did a political handspring on the issue').