verb intrans
to move or cause to move freely to and fro when suspended or as if suspended
to hang freely from a support
to move in or cause to move in describe a circle or arc
to turn on, or as if on, a hinge or pivot; to move in a gentle curve
to turn and face the opposite direction
to move into a new position by grasping a fixed support
in cricket, said of a bowled ball: to deviate from a straight path before reaching the batsman
informal to be executed by hanging
to throw (a punch) with a sweeping arm movement
(often + out) to hit or aim at somebody or something with a sweeping arm movement
to fluctuate from one condition, position, or object of attention to another
He swings between optimism and pessimism
to influence (something) decisively
informal to succeed in doing or having (something)
to play music or sing with a lively compelling rhythm
said of music: to have a steady pulsing rhythm
to play or sing with a lively compelling rhythm; specif to play swing
to move along rhythmically
I saw her swinging down the street
to start up in a smooth vigorous manner
We were ready to swing into action
informal to be lively and exciting
informal to be sexually promiscuous, esp by swapping sexual partners
to move (something) from one point to another by suspension
The cranes swing cargo over the ship's side
to suspend (something) between two points so that it can sway or turn
to cause (a hammer, axe, etc) to move vigorously through a wide curve or circle
to cause (something) to sway or pivot
to cause (something) to face or move in another direction
I swung the car into a side road
in cricket, to make (a delivery of a ball) deviate from a straight path
to deliver (a punch) with a sweeping arm movement
to bring (somebody) round by influence
to influence (a decision, vote, etc) decisively
informal to succeed in achieving or obtaining (something)
Brit, informal to neglect one's work, esp by inventing excuses; to malinger
[referring to the weight at the end of a line used to determine the depth of water; ‘swinging’ the lead would distort the reading.]