flip-flops

flip-flop (flpflp)

n.

1. The movement or sound of repeated flapping.

2. Informal A reversal, as of a stand or position: a foreign policy flip-flop.

3. A backless, often foam rubber sandal held to the foot at the big toe by means of a thong.

4. A backward somersault or handspring.

5. Electronics An electronic circuit or mechanical device capable of assuming either of two stable states, especially a computer circuit used to store a single bit of information.

v. flip-flopped, flip-flop·ping, flip-flops

v.intr.

1. To move back and forth between two conditions or circumstances, sometimes repeatedly: "The weather has flip-flopped between sweltering heat and violent storms" (New York Times).

2. To reverse a stand or position: "With the board having flip-flopped over zoning issues in the last several years, residents are looking to this fall's election for clarity" (Eugene L. Meyer).

3. To execute a backward somersault or handspring.

v.tr.

To move from one position to the reverse or opposite: The coach flip-flopped the linemen.

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flip-flopper n.

Translations

flip-flops [ˈflɪpflɔps] npl (esp Brit) → tongs fpl