Definition of flip
flipped;
flipping
transitive verb
1
:to toss so as to cause to turn over in the air
- flip a coin
- flip a pancake
- flip me the ball
- flip one end of the scarf over your shoulder
2 a
:to cause to turn and especially to turn over
- flipped the car
- flipping the pages of a book
b
:to move with a small quick motion
- flip a switch
c
:to turn (something) on or off with a switch
- flip on/off the lights
d
:to change or move through (channels, stations, etc.) quickly
- flipping channels with the remote control
3
:to buy and usually renovate (real estate) so as to quickly resell at a higher price
- He's flipped three houses for a substantial profit.
intransitive verb
1
:to make a twitching or flicking movement
- the fish flipped and flopped on the deck
2 a
:to turn or roll from one side to the other :turn over
- The crab had flipped onto its back.
- The car flipped over.
b
:to do a somersault in the air :to do a flip
- He flipped off the diving board.
3 a
:to change from one state, position, subject, etc., to another
- The job market flipped from hot to cold.
- The commercial flipped back and forth between scenes of country life and city life.
b
:to change or move through channels, pages, etc.
- He sat on the couch flipping through the channels.
- flip to another station
- flip through the pages of a magazine
4
slang
a
:to lose one's mind or composure
—often used with out
- The patient flipped out in manic behavior.
- She flipped out when she heard about her son's accident.
b
:to become very enthusiastic
