to swing

Examples

• All

• There is no doubt he can swing a game in our favor almost by himself.

  Blog text (2)

• The last debate might swing undecided voters in favor of his campaign.

• Every man in that jail controls at least 10 votes, enough to swing the election.

  In Old Chicago (1938)

• Nevertheless, this was not enough to swing the national vote.

  Academic text (1997)

• But again, numbers alone are unlikely to swing the balance.

  Academic text (2001)

• Well, now, 5,000 bucks would swing it for labor and equipment.

  Green Fire (1954)

• The boss is gonna lend me a hundred bucks... and with the 650 I got saved up, I can swing the deal.

  Bad Girl (1931)

• Penner hopes that the merger will allow them to swing a few people onto their side.

  Blog text (11)

• The new policy could swing public opinion toward environmental protection.

• A successful advertising campaign could swing the election results dramatically.

Synonyms

A

to affect

vsto swing

∞ 3.0

To cause a change in a person or thing

is a decisive influence that leads to opinion or outcome change

I

to impact

vsto swing

255 3.4

To have a strong effect on someone or something

is a decisive influence that changes outcomes or opinions

S

to sway

vsto swing

81 3.6

To cause someone to change their opinion or decision

is a decisive influence that changes opinions or final outcomes

M

to move the needle

vsto swing

• Jargon

8 6.2

To make a clear change in results or numbers

is a decisive influence rather than a merely measurable change

S

to shift the dial

vsto swing

7.2

To make a clear change in a situation or result

is a decisive influence aimed at changing opinions or outcomes

Idioms

I

in full swing

23 3.5

At the peak of activity when many people are active and working

S

to swing for the fences

• Informal

5 7.3

Try something risky to get a big reward

B

back into the swing of things

• Informal

5 5.3

To start doing your normal work and activities after a break

S

swing and a miss

• Informal

3 7.0

An attempt that fails to get the result you wanted

I

in the swing of things

3 6.8

Being comfortable and taking part easily in an activity

S

to swing both ways

• NSFW

1 8.3

To be attracted to both men and women or to like different things

Phrasal Verbs

S

to swing by

72 3.7

Visit a place for a short time while on the way somewhere

S

to swing around

10 3.2

Turn quickly to face the opposite direction

S

to swing out

6 3.9

To move outward in a wide, sweeping motion

S

to swing wide

1 3.9

Open a door or gate fully by moving it on its hinges

S

to swing through

• US

1 3.9

Stop at a place for a short time while going somewhere else

S

to swing about

1 4.8

To turn quickly to face another direction or change your opinion suddenly

S

to swing from branch to branch

1 3.8

Move quickly through trees like monkeys by holding and letting go of branches

S

to swing over

5.8

Make someone change their opinion or decision

S

to swing round the circle

• UK

9.9

To go around the group to hear each person's opinion

Compounds

M

mood swing

40 3.9

A sudden change from one emotion to another without warning

S

swing voter

20 4.2

A person who sometimes votes for different political parties and can decide the result of an election

S

swing set

11 1.0

A frame with seats hanging by chains or ropes for children to swing back and forth

S

swing door

3 3.1

A door on hinges that opens in both directions

S

swing shift

• US

3 4.3

An evening work shift from late afternoon until around midnight

S

swing music

1 3.9

A lively style of jazz with a strong beat that big bands play

B

baseball swing

1 2.9

The movement a player makes with a bat to hit a thrown ball

S

swing set

3.7

A group of swing jazz songs played together to make people dance

How Decisive

to decide

113 1.0

to swing

• Jargon

51 4.5

to persuade

472 2.7

to influence

591 2.2

to nudge

24 4.1

Surface Forms

Etymology