1 A2 neutral
To quickly turn something to its other side (transitive).
"Flip the pancake over when you see bubbles forming on the surface."
separable
flip over
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To turn something over quickly to its other side, or to turn completely upside down.
In plain English
To quickly turn something or someone to the other side, like flipping a pancake.
What does "flip over" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To turn over or overturn completely, often in an accident (intransitive).
"The canoe hit a rock and flipped over, throwing both paddlers into the river."
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To change sides or allegiances suddenly (figurative).
"Several voters flipped over to the opposition party in the final weeks before the election."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To flip (rotate quickly) so something ends up on the other side — completely transparent.
Actually means
To quickly turn something or someone to the other side, like flipping a pancake.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday English for cooking, reading, and describing accidents. Both transitive ('flip the pancake over') and intransitive ('the boat flipped over') uses are natural.
Words that pair with "flip over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pancake page car boat burger card
How to conjugate "flip over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
flip over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flips over
he/she/it
Past simple
fliped over
yesterday
Past participle
fliped over
have + pp
-ing form
fliping over
continuous
Hear "flip over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "flip over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.