Flip vs. Flick — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 26, 2024
"Flip" refers to turning something over or tossing it in the air, often using a hand or tool; "flick" means to make a quick, light, snapping motion, typically with a finger.
Difference Between Flip and Flick
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Key Differences
Flip involves a broader motion, such as flipping a pancake in a pan or a coin in the air, where the object typically makes a complete rotation or turnover. On the other hand, flick is a quicker, sharper action using the fingers or thumb, like flicking a speck of dust off a table or flicking a switch.
While flipping can require a certain level of skill or force depending on the object's size and the desired effect (like flipping a heavy mattress), flicking is generally a lighter, more subtle motion aimed at precise, minimal impact tasks (like flicking a light switch).
Flipping often engages the whole hand or arm, or even the body, in the motion, making it applicable to tasks ranging from cooking to sports. Conversely, flicking is typically confined to the fingers, particularly suited for small, fast actions.
The term "flip" can also have metaphorical meanings, such as flipping a business (buying and selling quickly for profit) or flipping out (losing one's temper). Flick, while occasionally used metaphorically (like flicking through a book), mostly retains its literal physical meaning.
In sports and games, a flip can describe acrobatic moves or techniques, such as a backflip or a flip throw in soccer. In contrast, flick is used to describe quick, deft touches, as in flicking a soccer ball past an opponent or flicking a marble in a game.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To turn over or rotate something
To make a quick, light snapping motion
Common Uses
Pancakes, coins, mattresses
Switches, dust, pages
Required Movement
Whole hand, arm, or body
Fingers or thumb
Skill Level
Varies, often needs more force or skill
Light, precise actions
Metaphorical Uses
Business strategies, emotional reactions
Quickly browsing through content
Compare with Definitions
Flip
To turn something over by tossing it in the air.
He flipped the burger with expertise.
Flick
Can indicate a rapid movement.
She flicked through the magazine quickly.
Flip
Often used in cooking and acrobatics.
The chef flipped the omelette in one smooth motion.
Flick
To make a quick, light, snapping motion.
She flicked the light switch off as we left.
Flip
Can involve rotating or turning over.
She flipped the mattress to the other side.
Flick
Occasionally used metaphorically for browsing.
He flicked through the files on his computer.
Flip
May describe complete turnovers.
The gymnast executed a perfect flip on the mat.
Flick
Used for minimal impact tasks.
With a flick of his wrist, the card appeared from his sleeve.
Flip
Also used metaphorically in various contexts.
He plans to flip that property for a profit.
Flick
Commonly involves the fingers.
He flicked the bug off his sleeve.
Flip
To throw or toss with a light brisk motion
Flipped the ball to the pitcher.
Flick
A light quick blow, jerk, or touch
A flick of the wrist.
Gave my horse a flick with the reins.
Flip
To toss in the air, imparting a spin
Flip a coin.
Flick
The sound accompanying this motion.
Flip
To cause to turn over or around, especially with a light quick motion
Flip over a card.
Flipped the pancake with a spatula.
Flick
A light splash, dash, or daub.
Flip
To turn through (papers, for example); leaf
Flipped the pages of the report.
Flick
A movie.
Flip
To strike quickly or lightly; flick
Flipped me on the shoulder with his finger.
Flick
To touch or hit with a light quick blow or fillip
Flicked him with his hand.
Flip
To move or act on with a quick motion
Flip a switch.
Flipped open her briefcase.
Flick
To cause to move with a sudden movement or jerk
The guard flicked the light switch. The bird flicked its tail.
Flip
To change or reverse (one's position or attitude).
Flick
To propel or remove with a sudden movement, fillip, or light blow
Flicked the lint off the coat.
Flip
To buy and resell (a house, for example) in a short period of time for a profit.
Flick
To move in sudden or jerky manner
A horse's mane flicking in the wind.
Flip
To turn over from one side to another or end over end
The canoe flipped over.
Flick
To look through the parts of something by making quick movements with the fingers
Flick through a book.
Flick through a crate of old records.
Flip
To turn a somersault, especially in the air.
Flick
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.
Flip
To move up and down in twists and turns
Fish flipping about in the net.
Flick
(informal) A motion picture, movie, film; (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?
Flip
To move quickly and lightly; snap
The lid flipped open.
Flick
(fencing) A cut that lands with the point, often involving a whip of the foible of the blade to strike at a concealed target.
Flip
To leaf; browse
Flipped through the catalogue.
Flick
(tennis) A powerful underarm volley shot.
Flip
To change one's mind, especially on a political position.
Flick
The act of pressing a place on a touch screen device.
Flip
To go crazy.
Flick
A flitch.
A flick of bacon
Flip
To react strongly and especially enthusiastically
I flipped over the new car.
Flick
A unit of time, equal to 1/705,600,000 of a second
Flip
A flick or tap.
Flick
A chap or fellow; sometimes as a friendly term of address.
Flip
A short, quick movement
A flip of the wrist.
Flick
To move or hit (something) with a short, quick motion.
Flick one's hair
To flick the dirt from boots
Flip
A somersault.
Flick
To pass by rapidly, so as not to be perceived clearly.
Flip
(Informal) A reversal; a flipflop.
Flick
To whip lightly or with a quick jerk; to flap; as, to flick a horse; to flick the dirt from boots.
Flip
A mixed drink made with any of various alcoholic beverages and often including beaten eggs.
Flick
To throw, snap, or toss with a jerk; to flirt; as, to flick a whiplash.
Rude boys were flicking butter pats across chaos.
Flip
Marked by casual disrespect; impertinent
A flip answer to a serious question.
Flick
A flitch; as, a flick of bacon.
Flip
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.
Flick
A light quick stroke or blow, esp. with something pliant; a flirt; also, the sound made by such a blow.
She actually took the whip out of his hand and gave a flick to the pony.
Flip
A complete change of direction, decision, movement etc.
Flick
A motion picture; as, I went to see a flick on Friday.
Flip
(archaic) A fillip or light blow.
Flick
A light sharp contact (usually with something flexible);
He gave it a flick with his finger
He felt the flick of a whip
Flip
(dated) A whit or jot; the tiniest amount.
I don't care a flip for what he says.
Flick
A form of entertainment that enacts a story by a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement;
They went to a movie every Saturday night
The film was shot on location
Flip
A slingshot.
Flick
Flash intermittently;
The lights flicked on and off
Flip
A hairstyle popular among boys in the 1960s–70s and 2000s–10s, in which the hair goes halfway down the ears, at which point it sticks out
Justin Bieber and Zac Efron are among the celebrities who wore a flip.
Flick
Look through a book or other written material;
He thumbed through the report
She leafed through the volume
Flip
(informal) The purchase of an asset (usually a house) which is then improved and sold quickly for profit.
Flick
Cause to move with a flick;
He flicked his Bic
Flip
A mixture of beer, spirit, etc., stirred and heated by a hot iron (a "flip dog").
Flick
Throw or toss with a quick motion;
Flick a piece of paper across the table
Jerk his head
Flip
(transitive) To throw so as to turn over.
You need to flip the pancake onto the other side.
Flick
Shine unsteadily;
The candle flickered
Flip
(transitive) 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.
Flick
Twitch or flutter;
The paper flicked
Flip
To win a state (or county) won by another party in the preceding elections.
Wisconsin had been Democratic for decades, but the Republicans flipped it in 2016.
Flick
Cause to make a snapping sound;
Snap your fingers
Flip
To turn state's evidence; to agree to testify against one's co-conspirators in exchange for concessions from prosecutors.
The mafioso flipped on his superiors to get a lighter sentence.
Flick
Touch or hit with a light, quick blow;
Flicked him with his hand
Flip
To induce someone to turn state's evidence; to get someone to agree to testify against their co-conspirators in exchange for concessions.
The district attorney was able to strengthen his case against the bank robber by flipping the getaway driver.
Flick
Remove with a flick (of the hand, for example)
Flip
To go berserk or crazy.
I'd flip if anyone broke my phone.
Flip
To buy an asset (usually a house), improve it and sell it quickly for profit.
Flip
To refinance (a loan), accruing additional fees.
Flip
To invert a bit (binary digit), changing it from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0.
Flip
To hand over or pass along.
Flip
To switch to another task, etc.
Flip
Having the quality of playfulness, or lacking seriousness of purpose.
I hate to be flip, but perhaps we could steal a Christmas tree.
Flip
Sarcastic.
Flip
(informal) Disrespectful, flippant.
Don't get flip with me or I'll knock you into next Tuesday!
Flip
A mixture of beer, spirit, etc., stirred and heated by a hot iron.
Flip
To toss (an object) into the air so as make it turn over one or more times; to fillip; as, to flip up a cent.
As when your little onesDo 'twixt their fingers flip their cherry stones.
Flip
To turn (a flat object) over with a quick motion; as, to flip a card over; to flip a pancake.
Flip
To cause (a person) to turn against former colleagues, such as to become a witness for the state, in a criminal prosecution in which the person is a defendant.
Flip
To resell (an asset) rapidly to make a quick profit.
Flip
To become insane or irrational; - often used with out; as, seeing her mother killed made the girl flip out.
Flip
An acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return
Flip
Hot or cold alcoholic mixed drink containing a beaten egg
Flip
The act of flipping a coin
Flip
A dive in which the diver somersaults before entering the water
Flip
(sports) the act of throwing the ball to another member of your team;
The pass was fumbled
Flip
Lightly throw to see which side comes up;
I don't know what to do--I may as well flip a coin!
Flip
Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation;
Switch on the light
Throw the lever
Flip
Look through a book or other written material;
He thumbed through the report
She leafed through the volume
Flip
Toss with a sharp movement so as to cause to turn over in the air
Flip
Cause to move with a flick;
He flicked his Bic
Flip
Throw or toss with a light motion;
Flip me the beachball
Toss me newspaper
Flip
Move with a flick or light motion
Flip
Turn upside down, or throw so as to reverse;
Flip over the pork chop
Turn over the pancakes
Flip
Go mad, go crazy;
He flipped when he heard that he was being laid off
Flip
Reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
Flip
Marked by casual disrespect;
A flip answer to serious question
The student was kept in for impudent behavior
Common Curiosities
What is the difference between flip and flick?
Flip involves a rotating or turning over motion, often using more of the hand or arm, while flick is a quick, light motion typically using the fingers.
How do you teach someone to flip a pancake?
Teach them to slide the spatula under the pancake confidently, lift slightly, and then give a smooth, controlled wrist motion to flip it over.
Can both flip and flick be done with one hand?
Yes, both actions can be performed with one hand, but flipping might require more of the hand or even the whole arm, depending on the object.
What are some common mistakes when flicking a switch?
Common mistakes include using too much force, which is unnecessary and can damage the switch, or not pressing firmly enough to activate the switch.
Can flicking be harmful?
If done improperly or with excessive force, flicking can be harmful, such as flicking someone's ear, which can be painful and potentially injurious.
How can flicking be used in a creative task?
Flicking can be used creatively, such as in painting techniques where flicking a brush can create splatter effects.
What types of objects are typically flipped?
Objects like pancakes, coins, and mattresses are commonly flipped.
Does the context change the meaning of flip and flick?
Yes, the context can influence how each term is understood, especially with their metaphorical uses or specific applications in different fields.
Is flipping always physical?
No, flipping can also have metaphorical uses, such as in business (flipping properties) or describing sudden emotional outbursts (flipping out).
Are flip and flick used differently in sports?
Yes, in sports, flip refers to acrobatic moves or techniques, while flick involves quick touches or taps.
How do you practice a flip in sports?
Practice involves strength training, learning proper technique under supervision, and gradual progression in complexity.
What is a flip in financial terms?
In finance, flipping often refers to buying assets like stocks or real estate and quickly selling them for profit.
Can you flick something heavy?
Flicking typically involves light objects or actions; heavy items require too much force for a flick and are better suited to other types of movement.
Why might someone prefer flicking through pages to scrolling digitally?
Some prefer the tactile sensation and direct control of flicking through pages, which can also allow for quicker, random access compared to digital scrolling.
Is it easier to flip or flick something when cooking?
It depends on the task; flicking is easier for light, quick actions like turning a switch, while flipping is more common for cooking tasks like turning over food in a pan.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
