/ flɪp; NAmE / verb , noun , adjective
■ verb ( -pp- )
1.
to turn over into a different position with a sudden quick movement; to make sth do this :
[ v ]
The plane flipped and crashed.
( figurative )
She felt her heart flip (= with excitement, etc.) .
[ vn ]
He flipped the lid open and looked inside the case.
—see also flip over
2.
[ vn ] flip sth (on / off) to press a button or switch in order to turn a machine, etc. on or off
SYN flick :
to flip a switch
She reached over and flipped off the light.
3.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to throw sth somewhere using your thumb and/or fingers
SYN toss :
They flipped a coin to decide who would get the ticket.
He flipped the keys onto the desk.
4.
[ v ] flip (out) ( informal ) to become very angry, excited or unable to think clearly :
She finally flipped under the pressure.
•
IDIOMS
- flip your lid
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- flip over
- flip sth over
- flip through sth
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a small quick hit with a part of the body that causes sth to turn over :
The whole thing was decided on the flip of a coin .
2.
[ C ] a movement in which the body turns over in the air
SYN somersault :
The handstand was followed by a back flip.
( figurative )
Her heart did a flip.
3.
[ sing. ] flip through sth a quick look through the pages of a book, magazine, etc.
SYN flick :
I had a quick flip through the report while I was waiting.
■ adjective
( informal ) = flippant :
a flip answer / comment
Don't be flip with me.
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (as a verb in the sense make a flick with the finger and thumb ): probably a contraction of fillip .