English

Noun

Flip ‎(plural Flips)

1. (slang, chiefly derogatory, ethnic slur) A Filipino; a person who is of Filipino background.
   • 1993, Gary Paulsen, Eastern sun, winter moon: an autobiographical odyssey, ISBN 9780151272600:

     One of the children beckoned to me to try it and I started forward, but before I could move Ryland grabbed my coat. "They're **** Flips, kid. The only way to play is to be better than they are. Go all the way to the top."

   • 2002, Henry C, H-Hour Plus Three: The Saga of the US Army Amphibious Engineers in the Pacific During World War II, ISBN 9781553695257, page 188:

     Later, the lieutenant came up to me. “Those dumb Flips finally got the message, right? […]

English

Noun

flip ‎(plural flips)

1. A maneuver which rotates an object end over end.

   We'll decide this on a flip of a coin.

   The diver did a couple of flips before landing in the pool.

2. A complete change of direction, decision, movement etc.
3. (US, slang) A slingshot.
   • 1986, George Scarbrough, A summer ago (page 123)

     He loaded his flip and took careful aim at what he considered to be Emily's most vulnerable spot […]

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

flip ‎(third-person singular simple present flips, present participle flipping, simple past and past participle flipped)

1. (transitive) To throw (as in to turn over).

   You need to flip the pancake onto the other side.

   • 2011 September 16, Ben Dirs, “Rugby World Cup 2011: New Zealand 83-7 Japan”, in BBC Sport:

     However, the hosts hit back and hit back hard, first replacement hooker Andrew Hore sliding over, then Williams careering out of his own half and leaving several defenders for dead before flipping the ball to Nonu to finish off a scintillating move.

2. (transitive) To put into a quick revolving motion through a snap of the thumb and index finger.

   If you can't decide which option to go for, flip a coin.

3. (transitive, US politics) To win a state (or county) won by another party in the preceding elections

   Wisconsin had been Democratic for decades, but the Republicans flipped it in 2016.

4. (intransitive, slang) To go berserk or crazy.

   I'd flip if anyone broke my phone.

5. To buy an asset (usually a house), improve it and sell it quickly for profit.
6. (computing) To invert a bit (binary digit), changing it from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0.

Derived terms

Translations

Synonyms

• (to throw, to turn over): turn, turn over
• (to put into a quick revolving motion): toss

Etymology 2

Apparently a euphemism for ****.

Interjection

flip

1. (Britain, mildly vulgar) used to express annoyance, especially when the speaker has made an error.
   • 1967, Peter Shaffer, Black comedy, including White lies: two plays

     Impossible. He's dining out and coming on here after. He can't be reached. / Oh, flip!

   • 2000, Susan McKay, Northern Protestants

     "Oh flip, don't come near this place," she said. It was dangerous. The Catholics had banners up on the Garvaghy Road saying, 'No Protestants here'.

Synonyms

• damn

Etymology 3

From flippant, by shortening.

Adjective

flip ‎(comparative flipper, superlative flippest)

1. (Britain, informal) Having the quality of playfulness, or lacking seriousness of purpose.

   I hate to be flip, but perhaps we could steal a Christmas tree.

2. Sarcastic.
3. (informal) Disrespectful.

   Don't get flip with me or I'll knock you into next Tuesday!

Etymology 4

Compare English dialect flip ‎(“nimble, flippant, also, a slight blow”).

Noun

flip

1. A mixture of beer, spirit, etc., stirred and heated by a hot iron (a flip dog).

Dutch

Pronunciation

Verb

flip

1. first-person singular present indicative of flippen
2. imperative of flippen

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /flip/

Noun

flip m ‎(plural flips)

1. a type of alcoholic punch from Normandy, composed of cider and calvados
2. (gymnastics) backflip