The ways we use just one word
To help develop fluency in English, it's, of course, important to learn new words. However, it's also important to know the ways in which we use words in combination with other words. From the simplest English words, it is sometimes possible to learn a number of expressions simply by knowing how a word is used. So what does it mean to really know a word? Knowing a word means understanding a number of common ways in which it is used by native speakers of English.
Let's start with the word "flip". How do we use "flip"? Here are a few ways.
flip a coin
flip out
flip an egg
flip a burger
flip a house
be flip
Post questions about these expressions. When we finish with the word "flip", we can move on to another word. If you know of other ways to use the word "flip", add them to the list.
http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/im...ons/icon12.gif 8-)
Re: The ways we use just one word
I know 'flipping heck' :oops:
Re: The ways we use just one word
Should it be straight word 'flip'?
Re: The ways we use just one word
Quote:
Originally Posted by
misiania 
Should it be straight word 'flip'?
By itself "flip" can be a verb or an adjecitve. As an adjective, it's more of a colliquial word, I think, and it's probably a derivative of the word "flippant".
I'm not completely sure, but I think "flipping heck" is more of a British expression.
There's also the expression "flip one's lid".
Don't flip your lid.
;-)
Re: The ways we use just one word
I'll try not to flip my lid :-D
Re: The ways we use just one word
Isn't the participle "flipping" commonly used in British English as an adjective? I, somehow, seem to recall that, though I can't be 100% sure.
BrE speakers? Are you here? Are you there? From my computer, you could be "here at the forum" or "there in a distant land". I suppose that's neither here nor there. :roll:
8-) ;-)
Re: The ways we use just one word
flip the fish on its back
flip one's wig
That's all I know :oops:
Re: The ways we use just one word
Quote:
Originally Posted by
misiania flip the fish on its back
flip one's wig
That's all I know :oops:
I've heard "flip one's wig", but not the other one.
:-)
Re: The ways we use just one word
The other one I've heard only once. I could be wrong on that one.
But I am sure about flip one's wig :lol:
Have we exhausted 'flip'?
Re: The ways we use just one word
:idea: I am a woman I forgot about a flip-flop. It means change something, but also it is a type of a shoes. Hehe
