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flop ~ flap ~ flip:
[different vowel sound]
“Flop” (noun) means ‘a complete failure’; (verb) means ‘to move or throw oneself in a heavy or relaxed way, to fall or drop heavily in a helpless manner; to fail completely’,
[For the right pronunciation of this word, please click here.]
a back flop
e.g.
The new cinema flopped because of the story. [i.e. it did not do well at the box-office; it was not liked by many people]
She flopped the heavy bag down on the floor and looked around for somebody to help her carry it to the kitchen.
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flap of a tent
“Flap”, as a noun, means ‘a piece of thick material that hangs down to cover an opening or entrance; a light stroke (hit) with something broad’; and as a verb, it means ‘to move something large, broad, such as wings of birds, sails of a ship, etc. as if by the movement of air, usually with noise’,
[For the right pronunciation of this word, please click here.]
a bird flapping its wings
e.g.
He lifted the flap of the tent and crawled in.
He flapped at the annoying fly with his cap.
The colourful flags flapped in the gentle wind.
The bird flapped its wings and flew away.
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flipping a coin
“Flip” (verb) means ‘to throw something spinning into the air with a quick snap of fingers; to turn something over’,
[For the right pronunciation of this word, please click here.]
e.g.
He took the last puff at his cigarette and flipped it through the window.
The little girl flipped through the pages of a book and, finding nothing interesting, threw it on the table.
{Note: “Flip flops” is used to refer to a pair of light rubber or plastic open shoes, also called ‘thongs’.}
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