swing
B1Informal, neutral
Definition
Meaning
to move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while suspended from a point above.
To change decisively in direction, mood, opinion, or situation; a seat suspended by ropes or chains for moving back and forth; a style of jazz music developed in the 1930s; freedom of movement or action.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, 'swing' implies a smooth, often arcing motion with a fixed pivot point. It can be literal (physical movement) or figurative (change). The noun often refers to the object performing the motion, the change itself, or a musical genre.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling in compounds: UK 'swing door', US 'swinging door'. 'Swing' as a dance/music style is equally common. Political 'swing voter' is more prominent in US media.
Connotations
In UK, 'swing' in cricket ('swing bowling') is a highly specific technical term. In US sports, a 'swing' (in baseball or golf) is more prominent.
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in both varieties. The idiom 'swing by' (to visit briefly) is more common in AmE but understood everywhere.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] The door swung shut.[V + prep] He swung at the ball.[VN] She swung the bag over her shoulder.[VN + prep] He swung the axe into the log.[V+adj] Public opinion has swung sharply conservative.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In full swing”
- “Swing both ways”
- “Swing for the fences”
- “Swing and a miss”
- “What you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to market fluctuations ('stock market swings') or decisive strategic changes ('swing for growth').
Academic
Used in physics (pendulum), political science ('swing states'), and sociology ('cultural swing').
Everyday
Common for playground equipment, moving arms/legs, changing one's mind, or visiting briefly.
Technical
In engineering (mechanical swing), music (rhythmic feel), and sports (golf/baseball motion).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- There's a new swing set in the park.
- There was a huge swing in the opinion polls.
- He plays in a swing band.
American English
- The kids played on the tire swing.
- The quarterback has a great throwing swing.
- She listens to classic swing from the 1940s.
verb
British English
- Could you swing by the shop on your way home?
- The minister hopes to swing public opinion behind the policy.
- The crane swung the container onto the ship.
American English
- Let's swing by Joe's place after the game.
- The election could swing on a few key states.
- He swung the bat with all his might.
adjective
British English
- He's a swing voter who hasn't decided yet.
- The party faced a swing seat in the election.
American English
- They went to a swing dance club.
- The state is considered a swing state.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children love to play on the swing.
- The door swung open.
- She swung her bag onto her shoulder.
- Public opinion began to swing in favour of the new law.
- He took a big swing at the ball but missed.
- The party is in full swing.
- The market can swing violently based on news headlines.
- He managed to swing a deal with the difficult client.
- The pendulum's swing demonstrated the principle perfectly.
- The narrative swings abruptly from tragedy to farce.
- The orchestral arrangement had a distinct swing to it.
- Investors are braced for a fresh swing in commodity prices.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SWING in the park: it goes back and forth, Side to side, WIth a Nice Gently motion.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS PHYSICAL MOVEMENT (opinions swing, moods swing), CONTROL IS HOLDING THE SWING (swing the deal, swing the vote).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'swing' (noun for jazz/dance) and 'свинг' (direct loan). The verb 'to swing' is not 'свинговать'.
- The idiom 'swing by' (зайти ненадолго) has no direct connection to physical swinging.
- The noun 'swing' (качели) is countable (a swing, the swings).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'He swinged the bat.' Correct: 'He swung the bat.'
- Incorrect: *'The decision was swinged by the news.' Correct: 'The decision swung on the news.' / 'was swayed by'.
- Incorrect: *'I like to swing on the weekend.' (ambiguous/odd). Correct: 'I like to go on the swings...' or 'I enjoy swing dancing...'.
Practice
Quiz
Which use of 'swing' is most likely in a political context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is irregular: swing - swung - swung.
'Swing' implies a more definite, often controlled arc around a fixed point (like a pendulum). 'Sway' suggests a gentler, slower, less controlled movement from side to side (like trees in the wind).
Yes, informally. E.g., 'I'll try to swing tickets for the concert' means to manage to get them, often through influence or effort.
It's a style of jazz developed in the 1930s-40s characterized by a strong rhythmic 'feel' or 'groove', and also refers to the specific rhythmic treatment of notes within that genre.