■ verb ( ~s , ~ing ; past and past participle swung )
1》 move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while or as if suspended.
↘ informal be executed by hanging.
2》 move by grasping a support and leaping.
↘move quickly round to the opposite direction.
3》 move or cause to move in a smooth, curving line.
↘( ~ at ) attempt to hit or punch, especially with a wide curving movement.
↘throw (a punch) with such a movement.
4》 shift or cause to shift from one opinion, mood, or state of affairs to another.
↘have a decisive influence on (a vote, judgement, etc.).
↘ informal succeed in bringing about.
5》 play music with an easy flowing but vigorous rhythm.
6》 informal be lively, exciting, or fashionable.
7》 informal be promiscuous, especially by swapping sexual partners.
■ noun
1》 a seat suspended by ropes or chains, on which someone can sit and ~ back and forth.
2》 an act of ~ing.
↘the manner in which a golf club or a bat is swung.
↘the motion of ~ing.
↘ Cricket sideways deviation of the ball.
3》 a discernible change in public opinion, especially in an election.
4》 a style of jazz or dance music with an easy flowing but vigorous rhythm.
5》 N. Amer. a swift tour involving a number of stops.
Phrases
get ( back ) into the ~ of things Brit. informal become accustomed to (or return to) an activity or routine.
go with a ~ informal (of a party or other event) be lively and enjoyable.
in full ~ at the height of activity.
~ the lead Brit. informal malinger; shirk one's duty. [with naut. allusion to using a lead to ascertain the depth of water.]
~s and roundabouts Brit. a situation in which different actions result in no eventual gain or loss.
Derivatives
~er noun
~y adjective
Origin
OE ~an 'to beat, whip', also 'rush', ge~ 'a stroke with a weapon', of Gmc origin.