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
The flip-flop became jammed in the bay when Mr Hartley attempted to reverse the telehandler.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2024
No, Dad never used the word flip-flop until he moved to the mainland.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
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
Baidoo suggests a more supportive flip-flop, such as a FitFlop, which is sturdier and contoured - a world away from the flat and thin flip-flops that have been cut from a big sheet of foam.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
Yet the images of ebullient arrivals to Spain, a portion of them minors and some wearing only swimsuits and flip-flops, have already spread far and wide, threatening a rupture in relations with Rabat.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
The opening act of a week spent in flip-flops and sunscreen.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
Irene and I were both in shorts and flip-flops.
From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth
But, thanks to the pandemic, demand for aircraft seats has flip-flopped dramatically of late.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2024
If Roberts flip-flopped Freeman and Smith, the Dodgers would go right-left-right-left-right in the first five spots, with Teoscar Hernández batting fifth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 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
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
The experiential overhaul brings the legacy brand closer to trendy competitors that appeared on the scene while Claire’s was flip-flopping in and out of bankruptcy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
The two neighbours have long had a volatile relationship - flip-flopping from being friends to enemies.
From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026
"We lost a lot of public trust because of some of the flip-flopping advice."
From Salon ● Dec. 29, 2024
As chaotic as that flip-flopping sounds, De Oliveira says she’s since found “more maturity, calm and peace.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 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.
