flapping

Everyday

1. Flapping means moving wings or arms up and down quickly. tree →
2. Flapping means moving loosely back and forth, like a flag or a sail in the wind. tree →
3. Flapping (informal, British) can mean being nervous and worried, in a flap. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on flight, birds fly by flapping their wings; some birds glide without flapping. In everyday life, flags, tents and washing flap in the wind. In stories it shows wind, movement or panic. Phrases: «flapping wings», «flapping in the wind», «stop flapping».

Examples

• The bird was flapping its wings to take off. tree →
• The flag was flapping in the strong wind. tree →
• The tent door kept flapping all night. tree →
• Ducks were flapping and splashing on the pond. tree →
• Stop flapping, we'll find your keys! tree →
• He ran around flapping his arms like a chicken. tree →
• Hummingbirds keep flapping their wings very fast. tree →
• The tame crow stood in the door-way flapping her wings. tree →

Note

Double «p»: flap, flapped, flapping. Noun «flap» can mean a loose cover, like an envelope flap or a cat flap. In science, a hummingbird flaps its wings many times each second; problems may ask how many flaps in a given time (multiply).