# flip

/ˈfɫɪp/ (US) · /flˈɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flip
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to turn over

verb · CEFR A2

to turn something over quickly so that the other side is facing up.

For teachers: to toss or move something so as to cause it to turn over or rotate end over end.

- He used a spatula to flip the pancakes before they burned.
- The gymnast managed to flip twice in the air before landing perfectly on the mat.

### 2. to react strongly

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

to become very angry, excited, or lose control of your emotions.

For teachers: to lose emotional control, typically manifesting as extreme anger or sudden enthusiasm.

- My dad is going to flip when he sees the dent in his car.
- The crowd began to flip with excitement as the lead singer walked onto the stage for the encore.

### 3. to resell for profit

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to buy something and sell it quickly to make a profit, especially a house.

For teachers: to purchase an asset and resell it within a short timeframe for a capital gain, often after making minor improvements.

- They plan to flip the old house after fixing the kitchen and garden.
- Speculators often attempt to flip luxury apartments before the construction is even completed to capitalise on rising market prices.

### 4. to change a bit

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to change a computer value from 0 to 1, or 1 to 0.

For teachers: to invert a binary digit (bit), changing its state to the opposite value.

- The software will flip the bit to indicate that the file has been saved.
- A single cosmic ray can occasionally flip a bit in a computer's memory, leading to unpredictable system errors.

### 5. to switch sides

verb · CEFR B2 · American English · Informal

to change from one side or opinion to the opposite one.

For teachers: to change a political allegiance or a legal position, such as testifying against former associates.

- The witness decided to flip and tell the police everything about the gang.
- Political analysts were surprised when the traditionally conservative county flipped to the liberal candidate in the final hours of counting.

### 6. a turning movement

noun · CEFR B1

a quick movement that turns something over or around.

For teachers: a maneuver involving the rotation of an object or person end over end.

- With a flip of a coin, they decided who would go first in the game.
- The diver performed a spectacular back flip from the highest board, earning a perfect score from the judges.

### 7. disrespectful

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

showing a lack of respect or not being serious enough about something important.

For teachers: lacking proper respect or seriousness; characterized by a casual or dismissive attitude.

- I didn't like his flip remark about the accident; it wasn't funny.
- Her flip response to the board's concerns suggested she did not fully grasp the gravity of the financial crisis.

## Examples

- He flips the pancake over in the pan.
- The gymnast managed to flip twice in the air before landing perfectly on the mat.
- Investors often attempt to flip properties by purchasing them at a discount, performing rapid renovations, and selling them for a significant profit within a few months.

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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.