flap

flap (one's) jaws

To talk in a meaningless, aimless, or idle manner. Jim always starts flapping his jaws after he's had a couple of drinks.

See also: flap, jaw

flap (one's) chops

To chatter or blather. Quit flapping your chops—I need some quiet so I can think! Whenever Charlie starts to flap his chops, I can't get in a word!

See also: chops, flap

flap (one's) gums

To chatter or blather. Quit flapping your gums—I need some quiet so I can think! Whenever Charlie starts to flap his gums, I can't get in a word!

See also: flap, gum

in a flap

In a panic or frenzy. Mom, I'll help you with getting dinner ready for the party, OK? So don't get in a flap about it—everything will be fine.

See also: flap

ears are flapping

Said when one suspects that a private conversation is being listened to. If ears are flapping now, we should postpone this discussion until a later time, don't you think?

See also: ear, flap

be in a flap

To be in a state of panic or frenzy. Mom's in a flap about this dinner party, so you better go help her.

See also: flap

get in(to) a flap

To enter into a state of panic or frenzy. Mom, I'll help you with getting dinner ready for the party, OK? So don't get in a flap about it—everything will be fine.

See also: flap, get

(someone's) ears are flapping

Someone is listening, or trying to listen, to the details of a private conversation. Let's finish this conversation in the meeting room in case people's ears are flapping nearby.

See also: ear, flap

flap around

To wave about in the air, possibly due to being unencumbered or unrestrained. You better secure that sheet—otherwise, it'll be flapping around in the wind. A: "What's that noise?" B: "Oh, just the flags flapping around."

See also: around, flap

flapjaw

Someone prone to talking a lot or at length. Good luck getting out of here—Aunt Louise is a real flapjaw and could easily blather to you for an hour.

flap around

[for a sheet of something] to blow, flop, or slap around, perhaps in the wind. The sails flapped around, making a lot of noise. The awning flapped around during the night.

See also: around, flap

flap one's gums

 and flap one's jaws

Rur. to talk aimlessly. They're still out on the porch, flapping their gums. Well, I can't sit here flapping my jaws all day. Gotta get back to work.

See also: flap, gum

flap your gums

AMERICAN, INFORMAL

If someone flaps their gums, they talk a lot without saying anything important. Who wants to hear you flapping your gums first thing in the morning?

See also: flap, gum

someone's ears are flapping

someone is listening intently in order to overhear something not intended for them. informal

See also: ear, flap

his, her, etc. ˈears are flapping

(British English, informal) a person is trying to listen to somebody else’s conversation: I think you’d better tell me later when we’re alone — ears are flapping here.

Flap here means to move quickly backwards and forwards.

See also: ear, flap

be in/get into a ˈflap

(informal) be in/get into a state of worry or excitement: Julia’s getting into a real flap about her exams. OPPOSITE: (as) cool as a cucumber

See also: flap, get

flap

n. an argument; a minor scandal. I’m sorry about that flap we had yesterday, but it was all your fault.

flapjaw

(ˈflæpdʒɔ)

1. n. a talkative person. Martin is anything but a flapjaw. I bet he doesn’t say a dozen words per hour.

2. n. chatter; gossip. Too much flapjaw for me to concentrate in here.