flip-flop
/ˈflɪp.flɒp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈflɪp.flɑːp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflip-ˌfläp/ (ame, mw) · /ˈflɪp flɒp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈflɪp flɑːp/ (ame, ipa)
flip-flop — noun
1. A light, flat open shoe that you hold on your foot with a thin V-shaped strap se
A light, flat open shoe that you hold on your foot with a thin V-shaped strap separating the biggest toe from the second toe. Flip-flops are most often worn in warm weather or at the beach.
After the rain stopped, Maya kicked off her flip-flops and walked barefoot on the wet grass.
collocation: kick off flip-flops
Carlos bought a new pair of bright blue flip-flops for his beach holiday in Thailand.
collocation: a pair of flip-flops
The coach noticed the strap on his left flip-flop snap as he crossed the parking lot.
Aiko keeps spare flip-flops in her bag to change out of her work shoes on the way home.
文法句型
a pair of flip-flops
用法筆記
The word flip-flop is most often used in the plural form flip-flops, even when referring to a single pair. This is the standard way to talk about the footwear item. Many people use the singular flip-flop only when talking about one shoe of the pair (e.g., I lost a flip-flop).
常見錯誤
2. A sudden and complete change from one opinion, plan, or policy to the opposite o
A sudden and complete change from one opinion, plan, or policy to the opposite one, especially when this makes the person or group seem unreliable.
The senator's flip-flop on climate policy surprised even his most loyal supporters.
collocation: flip-flop on [issue]
Voters criticized the mayor for her latest flip-flop over the proposed new airport.
After years of opposing stricter gun laws, the party's flip-flop seemed driven by polls rather than conviction.
- reversal
a more formal and neutral term; a policy reversal does not carry the same negative judgment as a flip-flop
- U-turn
an equally informal term for a complete change of direction; U-turn is slightly more common in British English
- about-face
a sudden change to the opposite opinion; about-face is more dramatic and suggests a military-style turn
- consistency
staying with the same position over time
文法句型
a flip-flop on [issue]
用法筆記
This sense is most common in political and business journalism. It carries a strongly negative connotation — calling someone's action a flip-flop suggests they are weak, dishonest, or driven only by popularity rather than principle. Less negative alternatives include change of heart, reversal, or shift in policy.
常見錯誤
flip-flop — verb
- flip-floppresent simple I / you / we / they
- flip-flopshe / she / it
- flip-floppedpast simple
- flip-flopping-ing form
1. To suddenly change your opinion or decision and start supporting the opposite vi
To suddenly change your opinion or decision and start supporting the opposite view, often in a way that makes others doubt your reliability.
The government flip-flopped on education reform so often that school principals stopped paying attention.
collocation: flip-flop on [issue]
Priya accused her colleague of flip-flopping on the budget after he agreed to it in the meeting.
The candidate flip-flopped on his pledge to cut taxes when polls showed the public wanted better schools and hospitals.
Investors become nervous when a company's leadership keeps flip-flopping on major strategic decisions.
- change one's mind
a neutral, everyday expression suitable for any context; flip-flop is more negative and informal
- backtrack
to retract a previous statement or position; backtrack suggests retreating from a commitment rather than actively adopting the opposite view
- do a U-turn
equally informal; do a U-turn emphasises the complete reversal rather than the process of changing
文法句型
flip-flop on [issue]
用法筆記
This verb is always intransitive — you flip-flop on an issue, not flip-flop an issue. The past form is flip-flopped, and the present participle is flip-flopping. The verb is strongly associated with political candidates and public figures; using it about a friend's everyday choices sounds unnatural.