flipped
flipped — verb
1. to turn an object upside down with a quick movement, or for an object to land th
to turn an object upside down with a quick movement, or for an object to land the other side up after such a movement.
Mira flipped the pancake in the pan with one quick wrist movement.
flip + concrete object (food being cooked)
The wind flipped the old paperback open on the picnic table.
inanimate subject causing the flip
Tanvi watched the slice of toast flip and land butter-side down on the floor.
Please flip the mattress every six months so it wears evenly.
The kayak flipped when a big wave hit it from the side.
- right
to return something to its correct upright position
文法句型
flip + object
flip over
用法筆記
Subject can be the person doing the turning OR the object turning by itself. When used intransitively (the kayak flipped), the result is usually unwanted; when transitive (flip the pancake), it is a controlled action.
常見錯誤
2. to turn food over on a hot surface so the other side cooks too, usually with a s
to turn food over on a hot surface so the other side cooks too, usually with a spatula or a quick wrist movement.
Tariro flipped the burgers on the grill once the edges turned brown.
flip + grilled food
Wait until small bubbles appear before you flip the pancake.
imperative cooking instruction
Pim carefully flipped the omelette so it would not break in half.
Shirin flipped each fish fillet using two wooden spatulas.
文法句型
flip + food item
用法筆記
Object is almost always a flat food item (pancake, burger, fish fillet, omelette). Distinguish from sense 1 (TURN OVER): this sense implies heat and a cooking goal.
常見錯誤
3. to buy something cheap, especially a house, fix it up, and sell it again quickly
to buy something cheap, especially a house, fix it up, and sell it again quickly to make a profit.
Esme made her first million by flipping run-down houses in Detroit.
flip + property + profit context
Investors are flipping concert tickets online for double the original price.
extended to other resellable goods
Élise spent eight months renovating and flipping the old beach cottage.
Critics say flipping apartments pushes prices up for first-time buyers.
文法句型
flip + property
用法筆記
Subject is usually an investor or a small business owner. Object is most often a house or apartment, sometimes tickets, sneakers, or limited goods. Carries a faintly negative tone when discussed in housing-market contexts.
常見錯誤
4. to move something, or part of your own body, with a small fast push or jerk.
to move something, or part of your own body, with a small fast push or jerk.
Yan flipped a quarter into the wishing fountain outside the library.
flip + small object with quick wrist motion
Sofia flipped her ponytail back over her shoulder before sitting down.
flip + body part (hair)
Nikhil flipped a peanut into his mouth without looking up from his book.
The cat's tail flipped quickly from side to side as she watched the bird.
文法句型
flip + small object
flip + body part
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: that sense is about a full upside-down turn; this sense is about a small flick or jerk that does not necessarily turn anything over. Object is small and easily moved by a finger or wrist.
5. to move a switch or lever quickly so that a machine or light starts or stops wor
to move a switch or lever quickly so that a machine or light starts or stops working.
Maja flipped the light switch and the whole kitchen lit up.
flip + switch + immediate result
Benjamin flipped the breaker back on after replacing the broken outlet.
flip + electrical lever
Don't flip that switch — the printer is still warming up.
Vivek flipped the radio off the moment the news ended.
文法句型
flip + switch
flip + lever
用法筆記
Object is almost always a switch, lever, or by extension the device controlled by it (flip the radio). The action is one fast finger movement, not a slow turn or press.
常見錯誤
6. to move quickly from one channel, page, or topic to another, often without spend
to move quickly from one channel, page, or topic to another, often without spending much time on each.
Niran flipped through the magazine while waiting at the dentist's office.
flip through + reading material
Xiu kept flipping between two job offers without making a decision.
flip between + competing options
Alessia flipped the channel every time a commercial came on.
Flip to page 42 and look at the second paragraph carefully.
文法句型
flip through + something
flip between + items
flip to + page
用法筆記
Usually paired with 'through' (browsing a sequence), 'between' (two alternatives), or 'to' (a specific page). The motion of physically flipping a page is the origin of this metaphorical 'browse / switch' sense.
7. to suddenly become extremely angry or upset, losing the ability to think calmly.
to suddenly become extremely angry or upset, losing the ability to think calmly.
Cyrus flipped when he saw the scratch his neighbour had left on the new car.
flip + when-clause (trigger cause)
Mum will flip if she finds out we broke the porcelain vase.
flip + if-clause (hypothetical)
Tamás flipped out at the waiter after the third order arrived wrong.
Rachel told me not to flip until I heard the full story.
- stay calm
the opposite reaction; not a single-word antonym
文法句型
flip
flip out
flip + when-clause
用法筆記
Informal register only — avoid in formal writing. Subject is the person losing control; sense 8 (GET EXCITED) takes the same form, so context tells them apart: anger triggers vs delight triggers.
常見錯誤
8. to react with great enthusiasm or delight, often about something new or surprisi
to react with great enthusiasm or delight, often about something new or surprising.
Ryo flipped over the chocolate cake his grandmother had baked for his birthday.
flip over + object causing delight
Fans absolutely flipped when the band announced a surprise tour.
flip + adverb (absolutely) for emphasis
Caleb's daughter flipped for the puppy the moment she saw it.
Dylan flipped over the news that his short story would be published.
- go crazy for
very informal; same enthusiasm intensity
- be thrilled
more neutral; 'flip' is much more dramatic and informal
- be unimpressed
the opposite reaction
文法句型
flip over + something
flip for + something
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 7 (LOSE CONTROL): the trigger here is something delightful, not something upsetting. Often takes 'over' or 'for' to introduce what caused the excitement.
flipped — noun
1. a single quick movement that turns or tosses something, especially with a small
a single quick movement that turns or tosses something, especially with a small flick of the hand.
Jessica decided who would go first with a quick flip of a coin.
flip of a coin (set phrase)
With one flip of her wrist, the chef turned the omelette over neatly.
flip of the wrist (instrumental phrase)
The book opened with a flip to the bookmarked page.
A clumsy flip sent the pancake straight onto the kitchen floor.
文法句型
a flip of + something
用法筆記
Often appears in fixed phrases: 'a flip of a coin', 'a flip of the wrist'. The countable noun form mirrors the verb's TURN OVER and FLICK senses.
2. a movement in which a person turns their body completely over in the air, used i
a movement in which a person turns their body completely over in the air, used in gymnastics, diving, or skateboarding.
Mira landed a perfect back flip on the gymnastics mat at the regional competition.
back flip (compound) + sport context
The diver completed two flips before entering the pool with barely a splash.
diving context + quantity
Nikhil tried a front flip on the trampoline and landed flat on his back.
The skateboarder did a flip over the railing and the crowd cheered loudly.
- somersault
longer and more formal word for the same movement
- tumble
broader; includes rolls on the ground without aerial rotation
文法句型
do/perform a flip
front/back flip
用法筆記
Often combined with direction words: 'front flip', 'back flip', 'side flip'. Common in gymnastics, diving, parkour, and skateboarding contexts.
3. a traditional mixed drink made with sweetened sugar, spirits, and a whole egg, s
a traditional mixed drink made with sweetened sugar, spirits, and a whole egg, served hot or cold.
The historic Boston tavern still serves a rum flip warmed by a hot iron rod.
specific drink name + traditional method
Sofia ordered a sherry flip after dinner to try a colonial-era recipe.
sherry flip (variety) + context
A classic flip combines beaten egg, sugar, and brandy in a tall glass.
The cocktail menu listed a winter flip made with port and a fresh egg yolk.
- eggnog
related drink also containing egg, but creamier and usually non-alcoholic-friendly variations exist
文法句型
a flip
用法筆記
Largely historical; the drink itself is now uncommon outside specialist or vintage cocktail bars. Often preceded by the spirit's name (rum flip, sherry flip, brandy flip).
flipped — adjective
1. answering or commenting in a way that does not take the topic seriously enough,
answering or commenting in a way that does not take the topic seriously enough, often in a slightly rude or careless tone.
Pim gave a flip answer when the teacher asked why she was late to class.
flip + answer (typical noun)
Don't be flip with your grandmother — she only wants to know how you are.
be flip with + person (typical structure)
Shirin's flip remark about the budget upset several committee members.
Tariro apologised the next morning for being so flip during the meeting.
- flippant
the full formal form; same meaning, broader register
- glib
similar but adds a sense of smooth, insincere talk
- irreverent
more positive; suggests playful disrespect, not rude
- earnest
serious and sincere in tone
- respectful
showing proper care for the topic or person
文法句型
flip + answer/remark/comment
用法筆記
Short informal form of 'flippant'. Usually appears before nouns like 'answer', 'remark', 'comment', or after 'be' meaning 'speaking too lightly'. The fuller word 'flippant' fits formal writing; 'flip' fits speech.