flop

cow chip and cow pie; cow patty; cow flop

Inf. a piece of cow manure. The pioneers didn't have much wood, so they burned dried cow chips. How did that big ol' cow pie get in the middle of my flower bed? Tom slipped on a cow patty.

See also: chip, cow

flop someone or something over

to turn someone or something over, awkwardly or carelessly. They flopped the unconscious man over, searching for his identification. They flopped over the injured man.

flop something down on(to) something and flop something down

to drop or slap something down on something. She flopped the liver down on the cutting board. She flopped down the raw meat.

flop around

[for something] to turn around awkwardly; [for a fish out of water] to squirm and flap. The hose flopped around, throwing water first this way and then that, knocking down plants as it flopped. A number of fish flopped around in the bottom of the boat.

See also: around

flop as something

to be a failure in a particular aspect of something in one's life or career. He flopped as an actor. I don't want to flop as a public speaker.

flop down

to sit down heavily or awkwardly. Be graceful. Don't just flop down! When I reached the chair, all I could do was flop down.

flop into something

[for someone] to fall or drop into something, such as bed, a chair, a bathtub, etc. Maggie flopped into the chair and slipped off her shoes. Tom flopped into bed and fell fast asleep.

That's the way the ball bounces. and That's the way the cookie crumbles.; That's the way the mop flops.

Prov. You cannot control everything that happens to you.; You should accept the bad things that happen. Bill: I bought a hundred lottery tickets this week, but I still didn't win! Alan: That's the way the ball bounces. I was planning to have fun on my vacation, but I've been sick the whole time. I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles. That's tough, but that's the way the mop flops.

See also: ball, bounce, way

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a flip-flop  (American)

a complete change, especially from one decision or opinion to another The government has made a policy flip-flop over arms sales. (American)