v.
(swings, swinging; past and past part. swung)
- move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while or as if suspended.
▸informal be executed by hanging.
- move by grasping a support and leaping.
▸move quickly round to the opposite direction.
- move or cause to move in a smooth, curving line.
▸
(swing at)
attempt to hit or punch, especially with a wide curving movement.
▸throw (a punch) with such a movement.
- shift or cause to shift from one opinion, mood, or state of affairs to another.
▸have a decisive influence on (a vote, judgement, etc.).
▸informal succeed in bringing about.
- play music with an easy flowing but vigorous rhythm.
- informal be lively, exciting, or fashionable.
- informal be promiscuous, especially by swapping sexual partners.
n.
- a seat suspended by ropes or chains, on which someone can sit and swing back and forth.
- an act of swinging.
▸the manner in which a golf club or a bat is swung.
▸the motion of swinging.
▸Cricket sideways deviation of the ball.
- a discernible change in public opinion, especially in an election.
- a style of jazz or dance music with an easy flowing but vigorous rhythm.
- N. Amer. a swift tour involving a number of stops.
Phrase
- get
(back)
into the swing of things
Brit. informal become accustomed to (or return to) an activity or routine. - go with a swing
informal (of a party or other event) be lively and enjoyable. - in full swing
at the height of activity. - swing the lead
Brit. informal malinger; shirk one's duty.
[with naut. allusion to using a lead to ascertain the depth of water.]
- swings and roundabouts
Brit. a situation in which different actions result in no eventual gain or loss.
Derivative
Etymology
OE swingan ‘to beat, whip’, also ‘rush’, geswing ‘a stroke with a weapon’, of Gmc origin.