FLIP | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
1. If you flip something, you turn it over quickly one or more times, and if…
dictionary.cambridge.orgHere are the latest general updates on the term “flip” and its definitions across common contexts.
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Language definition (general verb): In everyday English, flip typically means to turn over quickly, or to toss something so it spins in the air. It’s also used for quick changes in state or position, such as flipping a coin or flipping a switch [Cambridge Dictionary, Cambridge University Press; Merriam-Webster definitions include coin toss, quick motion, and changing state]. Recent dictionary entries confirm these core senses, including flipping conduct in phrases like “flip a coin” and “flip through channels” [Cambridge Dictionary; Merriam-Webster].
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Real estate usage: In real estate, “flip” refers to buying a property, renovating it, and selling it quickly for a profit. This meaning has been consistently documented in consumer dictionaries and business glossaries, reflecting ongoing usage in real estate investment discussions [Merriam-Webster; ClearTax glossary].
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Legal and investigative usage: In some contexts, “flip” can describe persuading a witness to cooperate or changing sides in a legal case. This sense is common in media coverage and legal glossaries when discussing witness cooperation or deterrence by prosecutors [Merriam-Webster; Cambridge context notes].
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Other notable senses: In popular culture and media, “flip out” means to lose one’s temper or become highly agitated, while “flip” can describe changing channels, pages, or states rapidly. These shades of meaning appear across standard dictionaries and glossaries [Merriam-Webster; Cambridge Dictionary].
Illustration
- If you “flip a coin,” you toss it so it spins in the air, and the outcome is determined by which side lands up—this is a classic, widely taught usage in decision-making contexts [Cambridge Dictionary; Merriam-Webster].
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Citations:
- Cambridge Dictionary entry for flip and related uses.[1]
- Merriam-Webster definition of flip/flipped, including coin toss and other senses.[2][4]
- Real estate “flip” definition and usage from Merriam-Webster and glossaries.[2]