flap

A loose, flexible piece attached along one edge, often used to cover an opening.

• Lift the flap to open the bag.
• She sealed the envelope flap with glue.
• The tent flap moved in the wind.

Similar words: cover

Common phrases: pocket flap, envelope flap, tent flap

A movable part of an aircraft wing that helps control lift, especially during takeoff and landing.

• The pilot lowered the flaps.
• A mechanic checked the left wing flap.
• The flaps help the plane land at a lower speed.

Common phrases: wing flap, lower a flap, flap position

A period of excited talk, worry, or anger about something that has happened.

• His remark caused a flap.
• The press made a flap over the missing documents.
• She was in a flap about the cancelled booking.

How to use it: a flap over/about something (There was a flap over the mayor’s expenses.)

Similar words: fuss, stir, uproar

Common phrases: cause a flap, flap over something, in a flap

A quick movement of something broad and loose, or the sound it makes.

• I heard the flap of wings.
• A sudden flap of the sail startled him.
• Each flap of the bird’s wings stirred the air.

Similar words: flutter

Common phrases: flap of wings, flap of cloth, flap of sails

A flat panel attached by a hinge, which can be raised or lowered.

• Raise the flap to extend the table.
• The desk has a small hinged flap.
• She lowered both flaps before moving the table.

Similar words: leaf, panel

Common phrases: table flap, hinged flap, folding flap

To move loosely back and forth, often because of wind.

• The flag began to flap.
• Wet sheets flapped in the wind.
• A loose curtain was flapping against the window.

How to use it: flap in something (The banner flapped in the breeze.); flap against something (The sail flapped against the mast.)

Similar words: flutter

Common phrases: flap in wind, flap against something, flap loosely

To move something broad and loose, especially wings, up and down.

• The bird started to flap its wings.
• He flapped his arms to imitate a chicken.
• The duck flapped its wings and flew away.

Similar words: beat

Common phrases: flap your wings, flap your arms, flap a towel

To talk too much in a way that annoys other people.

• Stop flapping your gums.
• He kept flapping at me about the dishes.
• They flapped all evening without saying anything useful.

How to use it: flap at someone (She flapped at him about being late.)

Similar words: chatter, yap, nag

Common phrases: flap your gums, flap at someone