flip the bird

== English == === Etymology === (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.) === Pronunciation === === Verb === flip the bird (third-person singular simple present flips the bird, present participle flipping the bird, simple past and past participle flipped the bird) (colloquial, idiomatic) To make a rude or obscene gesture (at somebody); particularly, to extend the middle finger. Synonyms: flick off, flip off, give the finger, give the bird 2008, Vanessa Grigoriadis, Everybody Sucks, American Society of Magazine Editors (compilers), The Best American Magazine Writing 2008, page 9, This summer, she took some time off in Maine, and before she went posted a picture of herself on Gawker in a bathing suit flipping the bird — "At least I didn't put up the ones of myself in a silver-lame bikini. That would have been a little much," she said, laughing. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see flip,‎ bird. ==== Usage notes ==== In the idiomatic sense, often used with an indirect object in the form flip (someone) the bird. ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== middle finger salute Appendix:Gestures/middle finger 🖕