swing
1to cause to move to and fro, sway, or oscillate, as something suspended from above: to swing one's arms in walking.
to cause to move in alternate directions or in either direction around a fixed point, on an axis, or on a line of support, as a door on hinges.
to move (the hand or something held) with an oscillating or rotary movement: to swing one's fists; to swing a club around one's head.
Aeronautics. to pull or turn (a propeller) by hand, especially in order to start the engine.
to turn in a new direction in a curve, as if around a central point: to swing the car into the driveway.
to suspend so as to hang freely, as a hammock or a door.
Informal. to influence or win over; manage or arrange as desired: to swing votes; to swing a business deal.
to direct, change, or shift (one's interest, opinion, support, etc.).
to turn (a ship or aircraft) to various headings in order to check compass deviation.
to move or sway to and fro, as a pendulum or other suspended object.
to move to and fro in a swing, as for recreation.
to move in alternate directions or in either direction around a point, an axis, or a line of support, as a gate on its hinges.
to move in a curve, as around a corner or central point: The highway swings to the east.
to move with a free, swaying motion, as soldiers on the march.
to be suspended so as to hang freely, as a bell or hammock.
to move by grasping a support with the hands and drawing up the arms or using the momentum of the swaying body: a monkey swinging through trees.
to change or shift one's attention, interest, opinion, condition, etc.: He swung from mere indifference to outright scorn.
to hit at someone or something, with the hand or something grasped in the hand: The batter swung and struck out.
Slang.
to be characterized by a modern, lively atmosphere: Las Vegas swings all year.
to be stylish, trendy, hip, etc., especially in pursuing enjoyment.
to engage uninhibitedly in sexual activity.
(of married couples) to exchange partners for sexual activity.
Informal. to suffer death by hanging: He'll swing for the crime.
the act, manner, or progression of swinging; movement in alternate directions or in a particular direction.
the amount or extent of such movement: to correct the swing of a pendulum.
a curving movement or course.
a moving of the body with a free, swaying motion, as in walking.
a blow or stroke with the hand or an object grasped in the hands: His swing drove the ball over the fence.
a change or shift in attitude, opinion, behavior, etc.
a steady, marked rhythm or movement, as of verse or music.
a regular upward or downward movement in the price of a commodity or of a security, or in any business activity.
Informal.
a work period coming between the regular day and night shifts.
a change by a group of workers from working one shift to working another.
freedom of action: to have free swing in carrying out a project.
active operation; progression: to get into the swing of things.
something that is swung or that swings.
a seat suspended from above by means of a loop of rope or between ropes or rods, on which one may sit and swing to and fro for recreation.
the maximum diameter of the work machinable in a certain lathe or other machine tool.
of or relating to a swing.
capable of determining the outcome, as of an election; deciding, as in swing vote; swing voter.
designed or constructed to permit swinging or hanging.
acting to relieve other workers when needed, as at night.
Idioms about swing
in full swing, operating at the highest speed or level of activity; in full operation: Automobile production is in full swing.
swing round the circle, to tour an area on a political campaign.
take a swing at, to strike or attempt to strike with the fist: to take a swing at a rude waiter.
Origin of swing
1synonym study For swing
Other words for swing
Other words from swing
- swing·a·ble, adjective
Words Nearby swing
Other definitions for swing (2 of 2)
Also called Big Band music, swing music . a style of jazz, popular especially in the 1930s and often arranged for a large dance band, marked by a smoother beat and more flowing phrasing than Dixieland and having less complex harmonies and rhythms than modern jazz.
the rhythmic element that excites dancers and listeners to move in time to jazz music.
of, relating to, or characteristic of swing: a swing record.
to play (music) in the style of swing.
Origin of swing
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use swing in a sentence
The trend is about the same in the swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin as nationally.
Here are the shifts in each major swing state — defined as the states with more than a 1 percent chance of being the Electoral College tipping point, per the FiveThirtyEight model.
Trump Has Lost His Edge In TV Advertising | Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com) | September 16, 2020 | FiveThirtyEightThis is the fourth in a series of articles examining the politics and demographics of 2020’s expected swing states.
Why Pennsylvania Could Decide The 2020 Election | Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com) | September 15, 2020 | FiveThirtyEightFamily members who offered me places to stay live in red or swing states where I’d dread walking into grocery stores packed with people proudly refusing to wear masks.
Today, the president has traveled to Kenosha, one of the swingiest cities in a swing state poised to decide his fate.
Asian-Americans are a group of persuadable swing voters, growing faster than any other group in America today.
Truth is, no one is sure how Cuba will play in the critical swing state of Florida in 2016.
Before Fidel, when segregation was in full swing, the Cuban apartheid meant many clubs and parks still refused black Cubans entry.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind | Brin-Jonathan Butler | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWe arrived to the din of a party in full swing: a band, multiple kegs of beer, dancing, foosball, and mantle diving.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything | Liz Seccuro | December 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTInstead, he gives his very best effort and tries to win the World Series with a single swing of his bat.
After Torture Report, Our Moral Authority As a Nation Is Gone | Nick Gillespie | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThose soaring columns held up the very sky, and their foundations made the earth itself swing true.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodWhile a one-step was in full swing some would-be wag suddenly turned off all the lights.
Uncanny Tales | VariousAnd they have a free wild grace, a stride, a swing—it is wonderful to watch them go up these hills.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonCould the bleating of the sheep swing in sweeter to the music of the valley as she is rocked to sleep?
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydShe had to lie in bed all the time; for not long ago she had a bad fall from a swing, and hurt her spine.
The Nursery, January 1873, Vol. XIII. | Various
British Dictionary definitions for swing
/ (swɪŋ) /
to move or cause to move rhythmically to and fro, as a free-hanging object; sway
(intr) to move, walk, etc, with a relaxed and swaying motion
to pivot or cause to pivot, as on a hinge
to move or cause to move in a curve: the car swung around the bend
to move or cause to move by suspending or being suspended
to hang or be hung so as to be able to turn freely
(intr) slang to be hanged: he'll swing for it
to alter or cause to alter habits, a course, etc
(tr) informal to influence or manipulate successfully: I hope he can swing the deal
(tr foll by up) to raise or hoist, esp in a sweeping motion
(intr often foll by at) to hit out or strike (at), esp with a sweeping motion
(tr) to wave (a weapon, etc) in a sweeping motion; flourish
to arrange or play (music) with the rhythmically flexible and compulsive quality associated with jazz
(intr) (of popular music, esp jazz, or of the musicians who play it) to have this quality
slang to be lively and modern
(intr) slang to swap sexual partners in a group, esp habitually
(intr) cricket to bowl (a ball) with swing or (of a ball) to move with a swing
to turn (a ship or aircraft) in order to test compass error
swing both ways slang to enjoy sexual partners of both sexes
swing the lead informal to malinger or make up excuses
the act or manner of swinging or the distance covered while swinging: a wide swing
a sweeping stroke or blow
boxing a wide punch from the side similar to but longer than a hook
cricket the lateral movement of a bowled ball through the air
any free-swaying motion
any curving movement; sweep
something that swings or is swung, esp a suspended seat on which a person may sit and swing back and forth
a kind of popular dance music influenced by jazz, usually played by big bands and originating in the 1930s
(as modifier): swing music
See swingbeat
prosody a steady distinct rhythm or cadence in prose or verse
informal the normal round or pace: get into the swing of things
a fluctuation, as in some business activity, voting pattern etc
(as modifier) able to bring about a swing in a voting pattern: swing party
(as modifier) having a mixed voting history, and thus becoming a target for political election campaigners: a swing state
US informal free scope; freedom of activity
mainly US a circular tour
Canadian a tour of a particular area or region
Canadian (in the North) a train of freight sleighs or canoes
go with a swing to go well; be successful
in full swing at the height of activity
swings and roundabouts equal advantages and disadvantages
Origin of swing
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for swing
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with swing
In addition to the idiom beginning with swing
- swing into action
also see:
- get into the swing of things
- in full swing
- not enough room to swing a car
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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