flip on

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Activate by flipping a control

Startinguncommon

Why “on”? A device starts working, a session or event begins, or a condition starts to develop.

She flipped on the bedside lamp.
She switched on the bedside lamp with a quick flick.
The mechanic flipped on the test machine to check the engine.
The mechanic started the test machine with a quick movement.

Don't confuse with

flip onflip over

Flip on means activate by flipping a control. Flip over means rotate quickly to the other side.

flip onflip off

Flip on means activate by flipping a control. Flip off means deactivate by flipping a control.

Test yourself

She flipped on the bedside lamp. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

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