to toss or put in motion with a sudden impulse, as with a snap of a finger and thumb, especially so as to cause to turn over in the air: to flip a coin.
to move (something) suddenly or jerkily.
to turn over, especially with a short rapid gesture: to flip pancakes with a spatula.
to cause to switch from one political party or candidate to another: Republicans flipped the Senate and increased their majority in the House.
Slang.
to provide incriminating evidence about (an associate or accomplice); inform on: I only work with people I know won’t flip me.
to turn into an informer: The prosecutor will try to flip the defendant in exchange for a reduced sentence.
to buy and sell (real estate or another asset) for a quick profit: The buyer flipped the house for double what he paid for it, just nine months after renovations were completed.
to change (an opinion, stance, or way of thinking): Federal courts had ruled the practice unconstitutional, but an appeals judge flipped the decision.
Slang. to make (someone) insane, irrational, angry, or highly excited (usually followed by out).
Finance. to resell, especially quickly, or to refinance, as a mortgage loan.
verb (used without object),flipped,flip·ping.
to make a flicking movement; strike at something smartly or sharply; snap.
to move oneself with or as if with flippers: The seals flipped along the beach.
to move with a jerk or jerks.
to turn over or perform a somersault in the air.
to switch from one political party or candidate to another: Formerly Democratic, our state has flipped to become red. Last November, most state legislatures saw fewer than five seats flip one way or the other.
Slangto provide incriminating evidence about an associate or accomplice; inform on: They wanted me to flip on the guy who sold me the drugs.
to change one’s opinion, stance, or way of thinking:The CEO has been accused of flipping on the issue of employee vacation time.
to shift from one state, position, etc., to another: My mood seems to flip 180 degrees without any obvious triggers.
Slang.
to react to something in an excited, astonished, or delighted manner: He really flipped over his new girlfriend.
to become insane, irrational, angry, or highly excited (often followed by out).
noun
an instance of flipping; a smart tap or strike.
a sudden jerk.
a somersault, especially one performed in the air: a back flip off the diving board.
Cards. a variety of seven-card stud in which each player receives the first four cards facedown and selects two of them to expose before receiving the next card.
Slang. flip side.
Idioms for flip
flip one's lid / wig, Slang. lid (def. 8).
Origin of flip
1
First recorded in 1585–95; 1955–60 for def. 18; see origin at fillip
The seat is considered among the most likely to flip this year.
Election live updates: Trump returns to Wisconsin; Biden to face live audience at town hall|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
This stability is invaluable, as traveling rough side-hills is an easy way to flip your machine.
Six ways to make your ATV even more rugged|By Tyler Freel/Outdoor Life|September 17, 2020|Popular Science
Recent research shows that the Arctic peatlands will flip from being carbon sinks to carbon sources as the region heats up further.
What wildfires in Brazil, Siberia, and the US West have in common|Lili Pike|September 17, 2020|Vox
It went nowhere in a Republican-controlled Senate, but that could change if the majority flips.
America needs a democratic revolution|Matthew Yglesias|September 17, 2020|Vox
These “good” drawings are only a few flips away from accepting the edge without breaking planarity.
A New Algorithm for Graph Crossings, Hiding in Plain Sight|Stephanie DeMarco|September 15, 2020|Quanta Magazine
In a neat line, his agent, beginning a bidding war, promised: “Michiko Kakutani will flip for this.”
What On Earth Is ‘The Affair’ About? Season One’s Baffling Finale|Tim Teeman|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Were you playing up or, on the flip side, shying away from portraying a romantic attraction?