26984 words

swing

28 definitions • 33 examples
1
to move easily and without interruption backwards and forwards or from one side to the other, especially from a fixed point, or to cause something or someone to do this:

Examples:

He walked briskly along swinging his rolled-up umbrella.
The door swung open.
2
to move an object or your fist in an attempt to hit something or someone:

Examples:

I swung (the bat) and missed.
He swung his fist towards Ben's face.
3
to change:
4
to be exciting and enjoyable:

Examples:

party swings You need music to make a party swing.
5
to play music in a strong, exciting style like jazz, or (of music) to be played in this way
6
to arrange for something to happen, by persuading people and often by acting slightly dishonestly:

Examples:

swing it (for) If you want an interview with Pedro, I could probably swing it (for you).
8
the way in which a player hits the ball, especially in golf:

Examples:

This season he's thrown his energies into improving his golf swing.
9
an attempt to hit someone:

Examples:

take a swing at The drunk took a wild swing at Harry.
10
a change:

Examples:

mood swing He experiences severe mood swings (= sudden changes from one extreme mood to another).
The party only needs a five percent swing (= needs five percent of voters to change to supporting it) to win this election.
11
a seat joined by two ropes or chains to a metal bar or a tree, on which you can sit and move backwards and forwards
12
an actor or dancer who takes the part of someone who performs as part of a group, if this person is ill or cannot perform for some other reason:

Examples:

The most challenging part of being a swing is not knowing when you're going to have to go on.
The only time a swing performs is if an ensemble member is out of the show or if an ensemble member is covering another role in the show.
A swing does not usually cover principal roles in a show, which are generally covered by understudies.
13
If an event, especially a party, goes with a swing, it is very exciting and successful:

Examples:

The Festival always goes with a swing.
14
a type of dance music that was popular in the 1930s and 40s
15
to move easily to one direction and then to the other from a fixed point, or to cause something to move this way:

Examples:

[ I ] He hung upside down and swung back and forth.
[ I ] The heavy door swung open.
[ T ] Campanella knew how to swing a bat.
[ T ] He swung the car into the garage.
16
to change from one condition or attitude to another:

Examples:

The company swung from record profits last year to huge losses this year.
17
to be exciting, enjoyable, and active
18
to arrange to obtain or achieve something:

Examples:

The kids need new clothes, and I don’t see how I can swing it.
19
a form of jazz music that was popular esp. in the 1930s and 1940s
20
a usually sudden change:

Examples:

He’s very creative but prone to mood swings.
21

Examples:

Scott took a big swing at the ball and missed.
22
A swing is also an attempt to hit someone:

Examples:

This guy took a swing at me.
23
A swing is also a seat that moves backward and forward and hangs from ropes or chains.
24
A swing can also be a brief trip:

Examples:

Ed took a 10-day swing through France.
25
to change, or make a situation, price, opinion, etc. change in a noticeable way:

Examples:

swing into profit/deficit The internet company swung into profit for the first time since its start-up.
swing from sth to sth The group swung from losses of 0.8p to earnings of 2.9p a share.
The war was the biggest issue threatening to swing voters.
26
to achieve the result you want, especially by successfully persuading someone of something:

Examples:

The bidder was presented with a list of added benefits that would help swing the deal in their favour.
27
a big and sudden change in a situation, price, opinion, etc.:

Examples:

Coffee futures once again staged a huge price swing with uncertainty over export controls.
a swing into the red/black He also announced a swing into the black in the year to February.
a swing towards/against sb/sth Evidence of the swing towards short-term temporary employment comes in a survey showing record demand for temporary staff.
28

Examples:

The report confirms that the economic recovery is in full swing.

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