noun , verb
■ noun
( NAmE also thong ) a type of sandal (= open shoe) that has a piece of leather, etc. that goes between the big toe and the toe next to it :
a pair of flip-flops
■ verb
( -pp- ) [ v ] flip-flop (on sth) ( informal , especially NAmE ) to change your opinion about sth, especially when you then hold the opposite opinion :
The vice-president was accused of flip-flopping on several major issues.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (in the general sense something that flaps or flops ): imitative reduplication of flop .