FLIP-FLOP (flip-flopped, flip-flopping)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: flip-flopped    , flip-flopping   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does flip-flop mean? 

• FLIP-FLOP (noun)
  The noun FLIP-FLOP has 4 senses:

1. a decision to reverse an earlier decision

2. a backless sandal held to the foot by a thong between the big toe and the second toe

3. an electronic circuit that can assume either of two stable states

4. a backward somersault

  Familiarity information: FLIP-FLOP used as a noun is uncommon.

• FLIP-FLOP (verb)
  The verb FLIP-FLOP has 1 sense:

1. reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)

  Familiarity information: FLIP-FLOP used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FLIP-FLOP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A decision to reverse an earlier decision

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

change of mind; flip-flop; reversal; turnabout; turnaround

Hypernyms ("flip-flop" is a kind of...):

deciding; decision making (the cognitive process of reaching a decision)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "flip-flop"):

afterthought; reconsideration; rethink; second thought (thinking again about a choice previously made)

Derivation:

flip-flop (reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action))

Sense 2

Meaning:

A backless sandal held to the foot by a thong between the big toe and the second toe

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

flip-flop; thong

Hypernyms ("flip-flop" is a kind of...):

sandal (a shoe consisting of a sole fastened by straps to the foot)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An electronic circuit that can assume either of two stable states

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("flip-flop" is a kind of...):

circuit; electric circuit; electrical circuit (an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A backward somersault

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("flip-flop" is a kind of...):

flip; somersault; somersaulting; somerset; summersault; summerset (an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return)

• FLIP-FLOP (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

alternate; flip; flip-flop; interchange; switch; tack

Hypernyms (to "flip-flop" is one way to...):

change by reversal; reverse; turn (change to the contrary)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

flip-flop (a decision to reverse an earlier decision)

 Context examples 

To prevent it: • Keep your feet clean, dry, and cool • Wear clean socks • Don't walk barefoot in public areas • Wear flip-flops in locker room showers • Keep your toenails clean and clipped short

(Athlete's Foot, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)