flip

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To turn something over quickly so the other side shows.

   Flip the pancake when it starts to bubble.

2. 2
   verb

   To throw a coin in the air to decide something by chance.

   Let's flip a coin to see who goes first.

3. 3
   noun

   A quick movement that turns something over.

   With a flip of the wrist, she turned the card face up.

4. 4
   verb

   To suddenly become very excited, upset, or angry.

   She flipped when she heard she had won.

Alteration of earlier fillip, from Middle English filippen (“to make a signal or sound with thumb and right forefinger, snap the fingers”), an attenuated variation of flappen (“to flap, clap, slap, strike”). Cognate with Dutch flappen (“to flap”), German flappen (“to flap”).

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