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flip out

B1 informal intransitive
In simple words

To suddenly go crazy with excitement or anger — like totally losing your cool.

Literal meaning: To flip (turn upside down) out of one's normal state — the metaphor is of being mentally turned over.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To suddenly become very angry or upset and lose emotional control.

"He completely flipped out when he found out someone had scratched his car."

2 B1 idiomatic informal

To react with extreme excitement or enthusiasm.

"The fans completely flipped out when the band came back on stage for the encore."

3 B2 idiomatic informal

To have a mental breakdown or sudden episode of irrational behavior.

"She was under so much pressure that she eventually flipped out and couldn't go back to work."

Usage notes

Very common in spoken American English. Can be used for both negative (anger, panic) and positive (extreme excitement) emotional reactions. Informal and energetic in tone.

Commonly used with

news result mistake surprise reaction crowd

Forms

Base
flip out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flips out
he/she/it
Past simple
fliped out
yesterday
Past participle
fliped out
have + pp
-ing form
fliping out
continuous

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