flap
/flæp/ (bre, ipa) · /flæp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflap/ (ame, mw)
flap — verb
- flappresent simple I / you / we / they
- flaps3rd person singular
- flapping-ing form
- flappedpast simple
1. to move something broad and flat, such as a wing or a piece of cloth, up and dow
to move something broad and flat, such as a wing or a piece of cloth, up and down or from side to side
The injured seagull flapped its wings but could not lift off the beach.
transitive: flap + object (wings)
Curtains flapped noisily against the open window all night long.
intransitive: curtain/cloth flaps in wind
The flag above the town hall flapped gently in the afternoon breeze.
Lauren flapped a newspaper at the smoke coming from the kitchen.
A large grey bird flapped slowly across the lake at sunset.
文法句型
flap + object (transitive)
flap (intransitive)
flap + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'wings', 'arms', or flat objects like cloth and sails. The transitive pattern (flap + object) implies deliberate action, while the intransitive pattern describes something moving on its own.
常見錯誤
2. to become very anxious and show it through restless or hurried actions
to become very anxious and show it through restless or hurried actions
Maeve flapped around the house all morning before her job interview.
flap + adverb (around) to show restless movement
There is no need to flap — the train will not leave for another hour.
idiom: 'no need to flap' — informal reassurance
Bilal started flapping when he realized his passport was missing.
The manager flapped about the broken window, shouting at everyone.
- stay calm
opposite of becoming anxious and restless
文法句型
flap (intransitive)
flap + prepositional phrase (about/around)
用法筆記
Almost always intransitive. Common in British informal English. Often in the phrases 'there is no need to flap' or 'get in a flap'.
常見錯誤
3. to produce a consonant sound by quickly hitting the roof of the mouth with the t
to produce a consonant sound by quickly hitting the roof of the mouth with the tip of the tongue
When Anong first visited New York, she noticed that locals flap the 't' in words like 'butter' and 'city'.
linguistic context: flap + specific consonant ('t')
The phonetics student learned to flap her tongue against the roof of her mouth.
During her linguistics exam, Valentina had to demonstrate how English speakers flap the 't' between vowels.
Hui noticed that Americans often flap the 't' when speaking quickly.
- tap
similar but technically distinct in linguistics; a tap is a direct strike, a flap has a sweeping motion
文法句型
flap + consonant (linguistic)
用法筆記
A technical term in phonetics. The flapped consonant (also called a tap) is common in American English for /t/ and /d/ between vowels, as in 'ladder' or 'latter'.
常見錯誤
flap — noun
- flapsingular
- flapsplural
1. a broad, flexible piece of fabric, paper, or plastic that is fastened on one sid
a broad, flexible piece of fabric, paper, or plastic that is fastened on one side and can hang over or seal an opening
The envelope had a sticky flap that sealed tightly when pressed down.
collocation: envelope flap
Ilan tucked his shirt pocket flap back after pulling out a pen.
collocation: pocket flap
The tent's entrance flap was tied open to let in the morning air.
A loose flap of fabric hung from the bottom of the old sofa.
Each box had a cardboard flap that folded shut to keep the contents safe.
文法句型
flap of [item]
[item] flap
用法筆記
Common in compound nouns: envelope flap, pocket flap, tent flap. Also used in medical contexts for skin flaps in surgery.
常見錯誤
2. a feeling of worry and agitation that makes someone unable to stay calm or act s
a feeling of worry and agitation that makes someone unable to stay calm or act sensibly
Aunt Rosa was in a flap because she could not find her reading glasses.
collocation: 'in a flap' — phrase for agitated worry
The whole office was in a flap when the fire alarm went off.
Saira tends to get in a flap before any important exam.
Manuela tried to calm the customers who were in a flap about the delay.
- calm
state of being relaxed and untroubled
文法句型
in a flap
get into a flap
用法筆記
Typically in the phrase 'in a flap' or 'get into a flap.' Refers to personal agitation, not public controversy — contrast with sense 3 (PUBLIC OUTCRY).
常見錯誤
3. a strong reaction of public anger, criticism, or excited discussion about an eve
a strong reaction of public anger, criticism, or excited discussion about an event or statement
The mayor's comments created a flap among local residents.
collocation: create a flap
A political flap erupted after the report was made public.
collocation: political flap
The celebrity's remarks caused a media flap that lasted for weeks.
What started as a small flap grew into a national debate about safety rules.
- controversy
more formal; refers to prolonged public disagreement
- uproar
stronger; suggests loud anger and protest
- fuss
milder; can imply the reaction is exaggerated over something minor
文法句型
a flap
cause a flap
political flap
用法筆記
Often used with 'cause' or 'create a flap,' or in compounds like 'political flap' and 'media flap.' Refers to public or media controversy, not personal nervousness — contrast with sense 2 (NERVOUS STATE).
常見錯誤
4. a movable part on the back edge of a plane wing that pilots extend to create mor
a movable part on the back edge of a plane wing that pilots extend to create more upward force, allowing the plane to fly more slowly and safely during takeoff and landing
The pilot lowered the flaps to slow the plane before landing.
aeronautical: lower the flaps for landing
Each wing has two flaps that extend during takeoff and landing.
Before takeoff, the pilot extended the flaps by ten degrees to give the wing more lift.
When the flaps are fully extended, the plane can fly at a much slower speed.
- aileron
different function: ailerons control roll (side-to-side tilt), flaps control lift and drag
文法句型
the flaps
lower flaps
extend flaps
用法筆記
Usually plural (flaps) because they appear on both wings. Not the same as ailerons — flaps affect lift and speed, while ailerons control the plane's roll.
常見錯誤
5. the way a wide, flat object or body part repeatedly rises and falls through the
the way a wide, flat object or body part repeatedly rises and falls through the air, especially a bird moving its wings
Hui watched the flap of the eagle's wings as it rose into the sky.
The flap of the sail in the wind told the sailors a storm was near.
With one final flap of its wings, the butterfly landed on a flower.
Marco could hear the flap of laundry drying on the line outside.
文法句型
a flap of [wings/sail/flag]
with a flap
用法筆記
Often used in the pattern 'a flap of [something's wings]', particularly with birds. Can also describe the action of sails, flags, and loose fabric.
常見錯誤
6. a short consonant sound produced by a quick strike of the tongue against the roo
a short consonant sound produced by a quick strike of the tongue against the roof of the mouth, common in some English dialects
When Kwame said 'ladder' with a clear 'd', his roommate from Boston showed him the quicker flap sound instead.
linguistic: flap sound vs. standard [d]
Alessia practiced producing a flap by saying 'city' very quickly.
The flap sound in 'butter' is so brief that many learners of English do not notice it at first.
In phonetics class, students listened for the flap in recordings of everyday speech.
- tap
technically distinct in linguistics; a tap is a direct vertical strike, while a flap involves a sweeping, hooked motion of the tongue tip
文法句型
a flap
flap sound
flap consonant
用法筆記
A technical term in phonetics. The English flap (or tap) typically appears for /t/ and /d/ between vowels, as in 'butter', 'latter', or 'ladder'.