flip-flop

noun

ˈflip-ˌfläp 

1

: the sound or motion of something flapping loosely

2

a

: a backward handspring

b

: a sudden reversal (as of policy or strategy)

3

: a usually electronic device or a circuit (as in a computer) capable of assuming either of two stable states

4

: a rubber sandal loosely fastened to the foot by a thong

flip-flop intransitive verb

Synonyms

• about-face
• about-turn [British]
• reversal
• turnabout
• turnaround
• U-turn
• volte-face

Examples of flip-flop in a Sentence

the governor's frequent flip-flops would indicate that she has no core beliefs

Recent Examples on the Web

Gone are the days of sweating in heavy sneakers and tripping over flimsy flip-flops. —Sara Coughlin, SELF, 24 Apr. 2025

Trump has since flip-flopped on many of those tariff plans, but uncertainty has continued to roil markets. —Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025

While the chaos has not reached the first Trump administration’s levels, the mistakes, miscommunications and flip-flops have started piling up after an early run defined by a flood of major policy changes at breakneck speed. —Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Elevated flip-flops Thong sandals never really go away, but they’re poised to have a bigger year than usual after popping up everywhere from Alaïa to Bottega Veneta this season. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flip-flop

• atop
• backdrop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop
• bookshop
• clatsop
• desktop
• eavesdrop
• estop
• hardtop
• hilltop