3 ADJ If you describe something such as evidence or an excuse as flimsy , you mean that it is not very good or convincing. □ The charges were based on very flimsy evidence.
flinch /fl I ntʃ/ (flinches , flinching , flinched )
1 VERB [usu neg] If you flinch , you make a small sudden movement, especially when something surprises you or hurts you. □ [V ] Murat had looked into the eyes of the firing squad without flinching. □ [V ] The sharp surface of the rock caught at her skin, making her flinch.
2 VERB If you flinch from something unpleasant, you are unwilling to do it or think about it, or you avoid doing it. □ [V ] The world community should not flinch in the face of this challenge. □ [V + from ] He has never flinched from harsh financial decisions.
fling /fl I ŋ/ (flings , flinging , flung )
1 VERB If you fling something somewhere, you throw it there using a lot of force. □ [V n prep/adv] The woman flung the cup at him. □ [V n prep/adv] He once seized my knitting, flinging it across the room.
2 VERB If you fling yourself somewhere, you move or jump there suddenly and with a lot of force. □ [V pron-refl prep/adv] He flung himself to the floor.
3 VERB If you fling a part of your body in a particular direction, especially your arms or head, you move it there suddenly. □ [V n prep/adv] She flung her arms around my neck and kissed me.
4 VERB If you fling someone to the ground, you push them very roughly so that they fall over. □ [V n prep/adv] The youth got him by the front of his shirt and flung him to the ground.
5 VERB If you fling something into a particular place or position, you put it there in a quick or angry way. □ [V n prep/adv] Peter flung his shoes into the corner.
6 VERB If you fling yourself into a particular activity, you do it with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. □ [V pron-refl + into ] She flung herself into her career.
7 VERB Fling can be used instead of 'throw' in many expressions that usually contain 'throw'.
8 N‑COUNT If two people have a fling , they have a brief sexual relationship. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ with ] She claims she had a brief fling with him 30 years ago.
flint /fl I nt/ (flints )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Flint is a very hard greyish-black stone that was used in former times for making tools. □ …a flint arrowhead. □ …eyes the colour of flint.
2 N‑COUNT A flint is a small piece of flint which can be struck with a piece of steel to produce sparks.
flint|lock /fl I ntlɒk/ (flintlocks ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A flintlock gun is a type of gun that was used in former times. It is fired by pressing a trigger which causes a spark struck from a flint to light gunpowder.
flinty /fl I nti/ ADJ If you describe a person or someone's character or expression as flinty , you mean they are harsh and show no emotion. □ …her flinty stare. □ …a man of flinty determination.
flip /fl I p/ (flips , flipping , flipped )
1 VERB If you flip a device on or off, or if you flip a switch, you turn it on or off by pressing the switch quickly. □ [V n with on/off ] Then he walked out, flipping the lights off. □ [V n] He flipped the timer switch.
2 VERB If you flip through the pages of a book, for example, you quickly turn over the pages in order to find a particular one or to get an idea of the contents. □ [V + through ] He was flipping through a magazine in the living room. □ [V n] He flipped the pages of the diary and began reading the last entry.
3 VERB If something flips over, or if you flip it over or into a different position, it moves or is moved into a different position. □ [V adv/prep] The plane then flipped over and burst into flames. □ [V n prep/adv] He flipped it neatly on to the plate.
4 VERB If you flip something, especially a coin, you use your thumb to make it turn over and over, as it goes through the air. □ [V n] I pulled a coin from my pocket and flipped it.
5 ADJ If you say that someone is being flip , you disapprove of them because you think that what they are saying shows they are not being serious enough about something. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a flip answer. □ The tone of the book is sometimes too flip.
fli p chart (flip charts ) also flipchart N‑COUNT A flip chart is a stand with large sheets of paper which is used when presenting information at a meeting.
fli p-flop (flip-flops , flip-flopping , flip-flopped )
1 N‑PLURAL Flip-flops are open shoes which are held on your feet by a strap that goes between your toes.
2 VERB If you say that someone, especially a politician, flip-flops on a decision, you are critical of them because they change their decision, so that they do or think the opposite. [mainly AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + on ] He has been criticized for flip-flopping on several key issues. □ [V ] He seemed so sure of his decision, how could he flip-flop so dramatically now? ● N‑COUNT Flip-flop is also a noun. □ The President's flip-flops on taxes made him appear indecisive.
flip|pant /fl I pənt/ ADJ If you describe a person or what they say as flippant , you are criticizing them because you think they are not taking something as seriously as they should. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Don't be flippant, damn it! This is serious! □ He now dismisses that as a flippant comment.
flip|per /fl I pə r / (flippers )