26984 words

flips

14 definitions • 25 examples
1
If you flip something, you turn it over quickly one or more times, and if something flips, it turns over quickly:

Examples:

I flipped the book (over) to look at the back cover.
flip over I lost my place in my book when the pages flipped over in the wind.
flip someone/something over Carefully flip the cake over, so that it's right-side-up.
Eventually a wave flipped him over, and he was able to call for help.
flip a switch You turn the machine on by flipping (= operating) the switch on the side.
2
to cook something by turning it over several times over heat:

Examples:

I don't want to spend the rest of my life flipping burgers.
3
to make a coin turn over in the air to see which side it lands on, in order to decide something:

Examples:

They argued about it, then settled the matter by flipping a coin.
The captains flipped a coin into the air to decide which side would bat first.
4
to buy something, such as a house, that is not in very good condition, improve it, then sell it quickly for more money:

Examples:

I am going to take three weeks' vacation and flip this house.
She makes money flipping old and tired furniture pieces.
5
to change sides, or make someone change sides, and start to give secret information about an organization, country, etc.:

Examples:

FBI agents started the process of trying to get him to flip.
6
to make a statement in a court of law against someone when you are both accused of a crime; to persuade someone to do this:

Examples:

There are cases in which prosecutors have threatened to seek the death penalty unless a witness flips against a co-defendant.
7
to change from supporting one political party to supporting a different one; to make people in a particular place do this:

Examples:

They produced a list of the districts that are considered most likely to flip in the upcoming elections.
The Democrats are expected to flip at least two Republican-held congressional districts in Texas.
8
an occasion when something turns over quickly or repeatedly:

Examples:

a flip of a coin
The acrobats were doing somersaults and flips (= jumping and turning their bodies over in the air).
9
informal for
10
used when you are slightly annoyed:

Examples:

Oh, flip, I've missed the bus.
11
to cause something to turn over quickly one or more times, or to cause something to move by making a short, quick motion:

Examples:

[ I/T ] I flipped (through) the pages of the dictionary to look up a word.
[ T ] You just flip a switch to turn on the computer.
[ T ] At the beginning of a football game, the referee flips a coin (= throws it into the air so that it spins in falling) to see which team gets the ball first.
12
the act of turning something over quickly one or more times:

Examples:

They settled the issue by a flip of the coin.
13
A flip is also a jump in which you swing your legs over your head as your whole body turns around, so that you come down on your feet in the position you started from.
14
to sell shares or property immediately after you have bought them in order to make a quick profit:

Examples:

They are looking to flip the property: they buy at the first stage of development, and aim to sell before they have to pay the final instalment.

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