1 A2 informal
To turn off a switch, light, or device with a quick flipping motion.
"He flipped off the kitchen light and headed upstairs to bed."
separable
flip off
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To turn off a switch with a flipping motion; or (informal, rude) to make an obscene hand gesture at someone.
In plain English
To switch something off quickly, or to raise your middle finger at someone to show you are angry with them.
What does "flip off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To make an offensive hand gesture (raising the middle finger) at someone to show anger or disrespect.
"The other driver flipped him off after he cut into the lane."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To flip (turn over with a fast motion) something off — transparent for the switch sense.
Actually means
To switch something off quickly, or to raise your middle finger at someone to show you are angry with them.
Usage tip
The rude gesture sense is specifically American English; the British equivalent is 'give the V sign'. The switch-off sense is neutral and common. Learners should be aware that 'flip off' can be offensive in the gesture sense.
Words that pair with "flip off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
light switch driver crowd TV opponent
How to conjugate "flip off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
flip off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flips off
he/she/it
Past simple
fliped off
yesterday
Past participle
fliped off
have + pp
-ing form
fliping off
continuous
Hear "flip off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "flip off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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