flimflam
[ flim-flam ]
/ ˈflɪmˌflæm /
noun
a trick or deception, especially a swindle or confidence game involving skillful persuasion or clever manipulation of the victim.
a piece of nonsense; twaddle; bosh.
verb (used with object), flim·flammed, flim·flam·ming.
to trick, deceive, swindle, or cheat: A fortuneteller flimflammed her out of her savings.
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Origin of flimflam
First recorded in 1530–40; gradational compound of expressive origin
OTHER WORDS FROM flimflam
flimflammer, nounflim·flam·mer·y, nounWords nearby flimflam
flight surgeon, flight-test, flightworthy, flighty, flim, flimflam, flimsy, flinch, flinders, Flinders bar, Flinders grass
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for flimflam
I tried my darndest to flimflam the information out of him, but it was no use.
The Gray Phantom's Return|Herman LandonHe saw that modern financial ingenuity has found a way to flimflam the devil himself.
Yellowstone Nights|Herbert QuickAs long as there is plenty of flimflam to distract the viewer.
Toy Shop|Henry Maxwell DempseyA flimflam offer by a theologian of inchoate title to improved real estate in the Sky for real estate, rentals and cash on Earth.
The Roycroft Dictionary|Elbert Hubbard
British Dictionary definitions for flimflam
flimflam
/ (ˈflɪmˌflæm) informal /
noun
- nonsense; foolishness
- (as modifier)flimflam arguments
a deception; swindle
verb -flams, -flamming or -flammed
(tr) to deceive; trick; swindle; cheat
Derived forms of flimflam
flimflammer, nounWord Origin for flimflam
C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse flīm mockery, Norwegian flire to giggle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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