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Flip vs Flick - What's the difference?

flip | flick |

As nouns the difference between flip and flick

is that flip is a maneuver which rotates an object end over end while flick is a short, quick movement, especially a brush, sweep, or flip.

As verbs the difference between flip and flick

is that flip is to throw (as in to turn over) while flick is to move or hit (something) with a short, quick motion.

As an interjection flip

is used to express annoyance, especially when the speaker has made an error.

As an adjective flip

is having the quality of playfulness, or lacking seriousness of purpose.

flip

English

Etymology 1

Alteration of earlier fillip, from (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)
  • A maneuver which rotates an object end over end.
    • We'll decide this on a flip of a coin.
    The diver did a couple of flips before landing in the pool.
  • A complete change of direction, decision, movement etc.
    • Derived terms
    * backflip

    Verb

  • To throw (as in to turn over).
    • You need to flip the pancake onto the other side.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=September 16, author=Ben Dirs, title=Rugby World Cup 2011: New Zealand 83-7 Japan, work=BBC Sport citation
    • , passage=However, the hosts hit back and hit back hard, first replacement hooker Andrew Hore sliding over, then Williams careering out of his own half and leaving several defenders for dead before flipping the ball to Nonu to finish off a scintillating move.}}
  • To put into a quick revolving motion through a snap of the thumb and index finger.
    • If you can't decide which option to go for, flip a coin.
  • (slang) To go berserk or crazy.
    • I'd flip if anyone broke my phone.
  • To buy an asset (usually a house), improve it and sell it quickly for profit.
  • (computing) To invert a bit (binary digit), changing it from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0.
    • Derived terms
    * backflip * flip phone * flipside * flipper * flip out * flip off * flip over
    Synonyms
    * turn, turn over * (to put into a quick revolving motion) toss

    Etymology 2

    Apparently a euphemism for (fuck).

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • (UK, mildly, vulgar) used to express annoyance, especially when the speaker has made an error.
  • * 1967 , Peter Shaffer, Black comedy, including White lies: two plays
    • Impossible. He's dining out and coming on here after. He can't be reached. / Oh, flip !
  • * 2000 , Susan McKay, Northern Protestants
    • "Oh flip , don't come near this place," she said. It was dangerous. The Catholics had banners up on the Garvaghy Road saying, 'No Protestants here'.
    Synonyms
    * damn

    Etymology 3

    From , by shortening.

    Adjective

    (flipper)
  • (British, informal) Having the quality of playfulness, or lacking seriousness of purpose.
    • I hate to be flip, but perhaps we could steal a Christmas tree.
  • sarcastic

    • Etymology 4

    Compare English dialect .

    Noun

  • A mixture of beer, spirit, etc., stirred and heated by a hot iron (a flip dog ).
    • English clippings English ergative verbs English onomatopoeias ----

    flick

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A short, quick movement, especially a brush, sweep, or flip.
    • He removed the speck of dust with a flick of his finger.
    She gave a disdainful flick of her hair and marched out of the room.
  • *{{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=January 5 , author=Saj Chowdhury , title=Newcastle 0 - 0 West Ham , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=On this occasion it was Nolan's deft flick that fooled West Ham's sleepy defenders Danny Gabbidon and Tomkins. The ball found its way to Best, who smashed in with confidence from the edge of the area.}}
  • (informal) A motion picture; (in plural, usually preceded by "the") movie theater, cinema.
    • My all-time favorite flick is "Gone with the Wind."
    Want to go to the flicks tonight?
  • (fencing) A cut that lands with the point, often involving a whip of the foible of the blade to strike at a concealed target.
  • (tennis) A powerful underarm volley shot.
  • *{{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=June 28 , author=David Ornstein , title=Wimbledon 2011: Victoria Azarenka beats Tamira Paszek in quarters , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The fourth seed was dominating her 20-year-old opponent with a series of stinging groundstrokes and athletic drive-volleys, striking again in game five when Paszek flicked a forehand pick-up into the tramlines.}}
  • The act of pressing a place on a touch screen device.
  • A flitch.
    • a flick of bacon

    Synonyms

    * (short, quick movement)'' fillip (''of the finger ) * (cinema) the pictures

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To move or hit (something) with a short, quick motion.
    • flick one's hair
    with a flick of the wrist
    to flick the dirt from boots
  • * '>citation
    • Using her hands like windshield wipers, she tried to flick snow away from her mouth. When she clawed at her chest and neck, the crumbs maddeningly slid back onto her face. She grew claustrophobic.
    (Thackeray)

    Derived terms

    * flick knife * flick off * flick the bean

    Related terms

    * flicker ----