a measure of computer speed, equal to the number of floating-point operations the computer can perform per second (used especially in combination with mega-, giga-, tera-).
to fall or plump down suddenly, especially with noise; drop or turn with a sudden bump or thud (sometimes followed by down): The puppy flopped down on the couch.
to change suddenly, as from one side or party to another (often followed by over).
to be a complete failure; fail: The play flopped dismally.
Informal. to sleep or be lodged: to flop at a friend's house.
to swing loosely; bounce; flap: His long hair flops in his eyes when he runs.
verb (used with object),flopped,flop·ping.
to drop with a sudden bump or thud: He flopped his books on a chair.
to dispose (oneself) in a heavily negligent manner: to flop oneself in a chair.
to invert (the negative of a photograph) so that the right and left sides are transposed.
noun
an act of flopping.
the sound of flopping; a thud.
a failure: The new comedy was a flop.
Informal. a place to sleep; temporary lodging: The mission offered a flop and a free breakfast.
1823, in the literal sense, from flop (v.). Figurative use by 1893.
flop
v.
c.1600, probably a variant of flap with a duller, heavier sound. Sense of "fall or drop heavily" is 1836, that of "collapse, fail" is 1919; though the figurative noun sense of "a failure" is recorded from 1893. Related: Flopped; flopping.
