flexing
flexing — verb
- flexingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- flexings3rd person singular
- flexinging-ing form
- flexingedpast simple
1. to bend a part of your body such as an arm or leg, or to make a muscle hard by t
to bend a part of your body such as an arm or leg, or to make a muscle hard by tightening it
Kenji stood before the mirror and flexed his arm muscles to check his progress.
flexed + body part (arm muscles)
The doctor asked Hana to flex her ankle so he could examine the movement.
flex + joint/body part
Before lifting the heavy box, Pedro flexed his shoulders to warm up.
Omar flexed his legs slowly after sitting in the car for six hours.
- relax
to loosen or release a muscle
文法句型
flex + body part / muscle
flex + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with body parts as the object: flex your arm, flex your leg, flex your ankle. Can also be used intransitively without an object: His arm flexed as he lifted the weight.
常見錯誤
2. when an object bends slightly under pressure without cracking or breaking, or to
when an object bends slightly under pressure without cracking or breaking, or to cause this to happen
The plastic ruler flexed easily when Diya tried to put it into her bag.
intransitive: material + flexes
The new bridge is designed to flex slightly during strong winds.
Kofi pressed on the diving board and watched it flex under his weight.
The tree branches flexed in the storm but did not break.
- snap
to break suddenly under pressure
文法句型
material + flexes
flex + object
用法筆記
Often used with materials or objects expected to show some give (e.g. plastic, metal, wood). Contrast with 'bend' — flex implies the ability to return to the original shape.
常見錯誤
3. to adjust rules, conditions, or arrangements a little so that they are better su
to adjust rules, conditions, or arrangements a little so that they are better suited to a particular need
The teacher flexed the deadline because several students were sick with the flu.
flex + deadline
Small businesses often flex their payment terms to help regular customers.
flex + payment terms
The manager flexed the dress code on Fridays to allow casual clothes.
Ari asked whether the bank could flex the loan conditions for one month.
- enforce
to apply rules strictly without changes
文法句型
flex + noun phrase (rules, conditions, terms)
用法筆記
Object is typically an abstract noun relating to rules or agreements (deadline, terms, conditions, rules). Usually transitive; the subject is a person or organisation with authority to make changes.
常見錯誤
4. to proudly display your achievements or possessions, often irritating other peop
to proudly display your achievements or possessions, often irritating other people by doing so
Eitan kept flexing about his new sports car at every party he attended.
flex about + noun phrase
Putri was flexing her designer handbag on social media all week.
Jude could not stop flexing about winning first prize at the science fair.
Ryan is always flexing his knowledge of wines whenever the group goes out for dinner.
- hide
to keep achievements or possessions private
文法句型
flex about + noun phrase
flex on + someone
用法筆記
Originating in hip-hop and internet slang, this sense carries a negative tone — the person is seen as showing off too much. Common structures: flex about + topic (intransitive) or flex + direct object (transitive, e.g. flex a new watch).
常見錯誤
flexing — noun
1. the action of bending a body part or tightening a muscle, often as an exercise o
the action of bending a body part or tightening a muscle, often as an exercise or display
The trainer showed the group the proper technique for a bicep flex in the gym.
bicep flex
Regular ankle flexes help improve blood flow during long flights.
Renata did ten wrist flexes during her warm-up to prepare for the tennis match.
The physical therapist recommended ten slow knee flexes every morning.
- bend
less specific to muscle contraction
- contraction
more technical; refers to muscle shortening
- extension
the action of straightening a joint
用法筆記
Commonly appears in compound nouns (bicep flex, ankle flex, knee flex) and fitness contexts. Usually countable with a number (ten flexes).
常見錯誤
2. an act of showing off or talking proudly about what you own or have done, often
an act of showing off or talking proudly about what you own or have done, often seen as annoying
Sana's constant flex about her overseas holidays annoyed her classmates.
flex about + topic
Posting the luxury watch online was just another flex for attention.
The neighbours grew tired of her flex about the new swimming pool.
Ari saw the Instagram post as nothing but a pointless flex.
- modesty
the quality of not showing off
文法句型
a flex
another flex
just a flex
用法筆記
This noun sense is slang, common in online and youth contexts. Often preceded by an adjective: a humble flex, a subtle flex, a massive flex, just a flex. The verb 'flex' is more common than the noun.
常見錯誤
3. a wire that is covered in plastic material and used to connect electrical device
a wire that is covered in plastic material and used to connect electrical devices to a power supply
The lamp stopped working because the flex had a small tear near the plug.
the flex = the electric cord
Please make sure the flex does not run under the carpet where people walk.
Diya replaced the old flex on her iron with a longer one from the shop.
A short flex means the vacuum cleaner cannot reach the far corner of the room.
用法筆記
This sense is chiefly British English. In American English, 'cord' or 'power cord' is used instead. Do not confuse with the verb meaning.