verb (used with object), flipped, flip·ping.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- flip one’s lid/wig, Slang. lid(def 8).
verb flips, flipping or flipped
- to throw (something light or small) carelessly or briskly; tosshe flipped me an envelope
- to throw or flick (an object such as a coin) so that it turns or spins in the air
- to propel by a sudden movement of the finger; flickto flip a crumb across the room
- (foll by through) to read or look at (a book, newspaper, etc) quickly, idly, or incompletely
- (intr) (of small objects) to move or bounce jerkily
- (intr) to make a snapping movement or noise with the finger and thumb
- (intr) slang to fly into a rage or an emotional outburst (also in the phrases flip one’s lid, flip one’s top, flip out)
- (intr) slang to become ecstatic or very excitedhe flipped over the jazz group
noun
- a snap or tap, usually with the fingers
- a rapid jerk
- a somersault, esp one performed in the air, as in a dive, rather than from a standing position
- same as nog 1 (def. 1)
adjective
- informal impertinent, flippant, or pert
1590s (1520s in flip-flop), imitative or else a contraction of fillip (q.v.), which also is held to be imitative. Sense of “get excited” is first recorded 1950; flip one’s lid “lose one’s head, go wild” is from 1950. For flip (adj.) “glib,” see flippant. Meaning “to flip a coin” (to decide something) is by 1879. As a noun by 1690s. Related: Flipped. Flipping (adj.) as euphemism for fucking is British slang first recorded 1911 in D.H. Lawrence. Flip side (of a gramophone record) is by 1949.
sailors’ hot drink usually containing beer, brandy and sugar, 1690s, from flip (v.); so called from notion of it being “whipped up” or beaten.