flip-flap

1 8.8

In a quick, repeated way that makes flapping sounds

adverb
/flɪp flæp/

: aleteo

The curtains went flip-flap against the open window all night long.

Examples

The flag moved flip-flap in the wind.
Birds' wings beat flip-flap as they took flight from the tree.
There was something mysterious going flip-flap in the attic during the storm.
Leaves fell flip-flap to the ground.
The bird made a flip-flap sound as it hurried to take off.
The pages of the book went flip-flap in the breeze.
As the butterfly fluttered around the garden, its wings made a delightful flip-flap noise.

Synonyms

pitty-pat

vsflip-flap

1 9.9

In a light, quick way that sounds like small steps or a heartbeat

is similar but shows repeated quick winglike or beating motions

pitter-patter

vsflip-flap

1 5.6

In a light, quick way like rain on a roof

is like those sounds but focuses on larger beating or wing motions

flutteringly

vsflip-flap

1 6.8

With light quick shaking movements like a small bird flapping its wings

is more about repeated quick winglike beats than mere trembling

How Fast

whirring

1 4.4

flip-flap

1 8.8

fluttering

3 3.0

flapping

7 1.0

Surface Forms

flip-flap positive

Morphology

flip-flap = flip + flap (transparent) = flip + flap

A reduplicative hyphenated compound combining the onomatopoeic verbs 'flip' and 'flap', so the meaning of repeated quick flapping is directly deducible.

Etymology

Flip-flap is an imitation of sound: it repeats the simple words flip and flap to copy the 'quick flapping' noise of wings, curtains, or loose things. So when something goes flip-flap, it moves or makes repeated, quick flapping sounds.