In UK English, flip can be a mild interjection, used to show annoyance with something. For example, someone might say:
«Oh flip! It’s my cousin’s birthday today and I forgot to send a card!»
Besides…
Example sentences
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Roger flipped the burgers on the barbecue to cook the other side.
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Linda flipped the switch and all the lights came on.
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John wasn’t really reading the book, he was just flipping the pages.
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The boss always flips through the reports, looking for the important points.
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Ellen’s going to flip when we tell her the news!
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Teenagers everywhere have flipped over this new band.
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The gymnast performed a perfect flip.
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Again, in UK English, you can also use the related adjective «flipping» to describe something that is annoying you. Example: «This flipping computer keeps crashing and I really need to get my work finished!» It really is a very mild word that is unlikely to cause offense to anyone.
Multi-word forms
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flip out: to lose control, especially to become very angry or very excited. Example: «Adam’s parents flipped out when he told them he’d crashed their car.» «My parents are going to flip out when I tell them I got the highest score on the test.»
flip-flop: This can be a verb, meaning to move from one side to another. Example: «Sometimes politicians flip-flop on issues if they think it will get them more votes.»
As a noun, a flip-flop refers to such a move from one thing to another. It is also a usually waterproof, backless sandal with a strap between the toes that is often worn at the beach or pool. In the US we can also call these thongs or thong sandals.
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Additional information
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A flip is also a mixed drink made with liquor or wine, sugar, and egg, topped with powdered nutmeg and served hot or cold. In the 18th century, it used to be a drink made with beer or ale mixed with rum or other liquor, sweetened and served hot.
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Other forms:
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flippant (adjective), flipper (noun)
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Origin:
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To flip, meaning to turn something over, was first used in the late 16th century. It’s thought to be either a contraction of fillip or a variation of flap; in either case, all three words probably came from the sound something makes when it is turned over quickly in the air. As a noun, flip first appeared in the late 17th century, to describe a somersault where men put first their hands and then their feet on the floor. It was part of a dance. Soon this meaning was widened to anything that could be turned quickly in the air.
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Thanks to WordReference
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