English Idioms

Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms

Flip the bird

Meaning

"Flipping the bird" is a vulgar idiom used to express disrespect or defiance towards someone. It involves raising one's middle finger towards the person as a gesture of contempt or anger. The phrase can also be used metaphorically to refer to taking an opposite or reversed action in response to something.

Usage

  • "I had been waiting in line for hours, and when it was finally my turn, I flipped the bird at the cashier for being so rude."
  • "When he found out that his boss had given his job to someone else, he flipped the bird and walked out of the office."
  • "After losing a heated argument with her sister, she flipped the bird and walked away."
  • "I had been trying to work with him, but he kept dismissing my ideas, so I decided to flip the bird and take control of the project myself."
  • "In response to his rude behavior, she flipped the bird and refused to talk to him for the rest of the day."

Roots and History

The origin of "flipping the bird" is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the 1960s. The earliest known use can be traced back to a book written by Lenny Bruce in 1964 called "How to Talk Dirty and Influence People." Bruce described the gesture as a way of expressing defiance or disrespect towards authority figures. Over time, the phrase has taken on a more vulgar connotation and is often used as an insult. It's worth noting that the gesture is considered offensive in many cultures and should be avoided in formal settings or around people who may take offense to it.

Synonyms in English

  • "Give the finger"
  • "Bird him/her"
  • "Finger me"
  • "Flip me off"
  • "Stick it to him/her"

Synonyms in other languages

  • Spanish: "Dar el pico" (literally, "give the tip of the finger")
  • French: "Mettre le doigt" (literally, "put the finger up")
  • German: "Die Finger hochhalten" (literally, "hold up the fingers")
  • Italian: "Girare il dito" (literally, "turn the finger")
  • Dutch: "Slikje opjegenomen" (literally, "thumbs up")

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