flip-flop
Americannoun
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flip-flops
plural
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Informal. a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy.
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a backward somersault.
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Also called flip-flop circuit. Electronics. an electronic circuit having two stable conditions, each one corresponding to one of two alternative input signals.
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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.
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the sound and motion of something flapping, as a windblown shutter; a banging to and fro.
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any backless, usually open-toed flat shoe or slipper.
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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.
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(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
verb (used without object)
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flip-flops,
present (3rd person singular)
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flip-flopped,
past participle, past
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flip-flopping
present participle
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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.
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to execute a backward somersault.
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to flap; bang to and fro.
The door flip-flopped in the high wind.
noun
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a backward handspring
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Also called: bistable. an electronic device or circuit that can assume either of two stable states by the application of a suitable pulse
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informal a complete change of opinion, policy, etc
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a repeated flapping or banging noise
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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
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informal to make a complete change of opinion, policy, etc
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to move with repeated flaps
adverb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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flip-flopsimple
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flip-flopssimple
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have flip-floppedperfect
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has flip-floppedperfect
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am flip-floppingprogressive
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are flip-floppingprogressive
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is flip-floppingprogressive
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have been flip-floppingperfect progressive
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has been flip-floppingperfect progressive
Past
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flip-floppedsimple
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had flip-floppedperfect
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was flip-floppingprogressive
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were flip-floppingprogressive
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had been flip-floppingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of flip-flop
First recorded in 1655–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“It almost feels like we’re not being taken seriously as human beings with needs. Like, we’re just being taken through this crazy obstacle course where they have all these rules that flip-flop on us.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
“The flip-flop developments in US-China tariffs war have added volatility to the market, further fueling trading activity.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2025
Overall, this might look like a wild flip-flop: A popular and widely sold supplement with some science behind it just doesn’t seem to work.
From Slate ● Jun. 20, 2025
Another worker, who was standing on the flip-flop at the time, was thrown off the machine but avoided serious injury.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2024
Then she let the other flip-flop go, which startled the ant, causing it to try a different route entirely.
From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth
A band of protestors in flip-flops thrash on aluminum pans, registering their anger with the blackouts, moving quickly to avoid the police.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
That one guy who lives ’round the corner who has three pet ferrets and wears flip-flops all year long.
From Slate ● Aug. 12, 2026
Don't forget to check the condition of your feet - the skin can dry out quickly in open footwear like flip-flops.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The opening act of a week spent in flip-flops and sunscreen.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
With jean shorts over my bathing suit, my favorite beach towel draped around my neck, sunscreen lathered, and flip-flops on, I’m ready.
From "Rules" by Cynthia Lord
But, thanks to the pandemic, demand for aircraft seats has flip-flopped dramatically of late.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2024
But just a few weeks ago he flip-flopped, telling New York’s City & State that he was working on a documentary and a reality TV show, and therefore uninterested in engaging in a “messy primary.”
From Slate ● Mar. 13, 2024
His instructions from supervisors, according to what he told police, flip-flopped from taking a hands-off approach to physically stopping thieves from leaving with goods.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2023
The governor has flip-flopped on one highly inconsequential matter: how to pronounce his name.
From New York Times ● May 24, 2023
As the party walked towards Cavern Hole, Cluny could sense hostility emanating from the young mouse who flip-flopped behind him in overlarge sandals.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Much like constantly changing an opening pair does little for the team's output of runs, flip-flopping on rules around behaviour does not create a winning environment.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
You write about companies flip-flopping on DEI and also the lack of women advancing in Wall Street.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 21, 2026
And hey — I can even forgive HBO Max for all the name flip-flopping if they’ll let me watch “Parts Unknown” without ads.
From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2025
Jessica Hoff Berzac, president of UPholdings, which developed the project in partnership with Self-Help Enterprises, said she has been frustrated by the flip-flopping by officials, who initially supported the plans.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2024
Then I hold Boo’s hand and we follow Lou Ann’s flip-flopping shoes up the stairs, closing the gate behind us.
From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
