flip-flop

[flip-flop] /ˈflɪpˌflɒp/

noun

Informal. a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy.

a backward somersault.

Also called flip-flop circuit. Electronics. an electronic circuit having two stable conditions, each one corresponding to one of two alternative input signals.

any of several similar devices having two alternative states, the change of state being caused by some input signal or by some change of input.

the sound and motion of something flapping, as a wind-blown shutter; a banging to and fro.

any backless, usually open-toed flat shoe or slipper.

a flat, backless rubber sandal, usually secured on the foot by a thong between the first two toes, as for use at a beach, swimming pool, etc.

Compare thong, zori.

(in advertising) a display or presentation, usually on an easel, consisting of a series of pages hinged at the top and flipped over in sequence.

adverb

with repeated sounds and motions, as of something flapping.

verb (used without object), flip-flopped, flip-flopping.

10.

Informal. to make a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy:

The opposition claimed that the president had flip-flopped on certain issues.

11.

to execute a backward somersault.

12.

to flap; bang to and fro:

The door flip-flopped in the high wind.

Also, flip-flap

[flip-flap] /ˈflɪpˌflæp/ (Show IPA), (for defs 2, 5, 9, 12), flipflop (for defs 6, 7).

Origin

1655-65

British Dictionary definitions for flip-flops

flip-flop

noun

a backward handspring

Also called bistable. an electronic device or circuit that can assume either of two stable states by the application of a suitable pulse

(informal, mainly US) a complete change of opinion, policy, etc

a repeated flapping or banging noise

Also called (US, Canadian, Austral, and NZ) thong. a rubber-soled sandal attached to the foot by a thong between the big toe and the next toe

verb (intransitive) -flops, -flopping, -flopped

(informal, mainly US) to make a complete change of opinion, policy, etc

to move with repeated flaps

adverb

with repeated flappings: to go flip-flop

Word Origin

C16: reduplication of flip

Word Origin and History for flip-flops

flip-flop

also flip flop, "thong sandal," by 1972, imitative of the sound of walking in them (flip-flap had been used in various echoic senses, mostly echoic, since 1520s); sense of "complete reversal of direction" dates from 1900.

Flip-flaps, a peculiar rollicking dance indulged in by costermongers, better described as the double shuffle; originally a kind of somersault. [Hotten's Slang Dictionary, 1864]

Slang definitions & phrases for flip-flops

flip-flops

noun

A type of open shoe, often made of rubber, with a V-shaped strap that goes between the big toe and the toe next to it: in a flowered housedress and flip-flops (1960s+)

flip-flop

modifier

: flip-flop views and reluctance to confront the issues

noun

A complete reversal of direction; about-face •The primary meaning is ''somersault'': Commodities have been doing flip-flops on the price ladder

verb

: So Kennedy's flip-flopped again (1900+)