# flip off

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flip-off
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to make a rude gesture

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · American English · Informal · Slang

to show someone your middle finger as a very rude way to say you are angry with them.

For teachers: to extend the middle finger toward someone as an obscene gesture of contempt or anger.

- The driver flipped him off after he accidentally cut into their lane.
- Incensed by the referee's controversial decision, several fans flipped him off as he exited the field toward the tunnel.

Usage: The verb is transitive and separable; the object can sit between 'flip' and 'off' or after the full phrase.

Teaching tip: This is a highly offensive gesture in many cultures; students should be aware of its meaning but avoid using it in any professional or polite setting.

## Examples

- The driver flipped me off after I honked my horn.
- He got so frustrated with the referee's decision that he flipped him off and was kicked out of the game.
- In a moment of uncharacteristic aggression, the politician flipped off the hecklers who were persistently interrupting his speech.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: this is the American English equivalent of the British 'give someone the finger'; it is a transitive phrasal verb that is almost always separated when using a pronoun.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.