intransitive verb
swung, swing′ing- to sway or move backward and forward with regular movement, as a freely hanging object or a ship at anchor; oscillate
- to walk, trot, etc. with freely swaying, relaxed movements of the limbs
- to deliver or aim a blow; strike (at)
- to turn or pivot, as on a hinge or swivel: the door swung open
- to move in a curve, esp. in order to go around something: the car swung around to avoid the obstacle in the road
- Informal to move, travel, or come (by, over to, around to, etc.) in a casual manner, as by automobile: they swung by to pick us up
- to hang; be suspended
- Informal to be put to death by hanging
- to move backward and forward on a swing (noun)
- to have an exciting rhythmic quality: music that really swings
- to move or alternate, often rapidly, between extremes, or from one position or condition to another: his moods swinging between joy and despair, stock prices that swung wildly
- to arrive at a final point in this way: oil prices finally swung into a tolerable range
- Slang to be ultra-fashionable, sophisticated, active, etc., esp. in the pursuit of pleasure
- Slang
- to engage in casual sexual relations, esp. in an open, deliberate way
- to exchange partners with other couples and engage in sexual activity: said esp. of married couples
Origin of swing
Middle English swingen from Old English swingan, akin to German schwingen, to brandish from Indo-European base an unverified form sweng-, to curve, swing- to move or wave (a weapon, tool, bat, etc.) with a sweeping motion; flourish; brandish
- to lift or hoist with a sweeping motion
- to cause (a hanging object) to sway backward and forward; specif., to cause (a person on a swing) to move backward and forward by pushing or pulling the swing
- to cause to turn or pivot, as on a hinge or swivel: to swing a door open
- to cause to hang freely, so as to be capable of easy movement: to swing a hammock
- to cause to move in a curve: to swing a car around a corner
- to head (a ship or aircraft) toward each of the points of the compass in order to determine compass error resulting from deviation
- Slang to cause to come about successfully; manage with the desired results: I'll take a vacation this summer if I can swing it
- to sway; influence: bribery allegations were likely to swing voters' opinion
- to play (music) in the style of swing
- the act or process of swinging
- the arc, or the length of the arc, through which something swings: the swing of a pendulum
- the manner of swinging; specif., the manner of striking with a golf club, baseball bat, the arm, etc.
- freedom to do as one wishes or is naturally inclined: given full swing in the matter
- a free, relaxed motion, as in walking
- a sweeping blow or stroke
- the course, development, or movement of some activity, business, etc.
- the power, or force, behind something swung or thrown; impetus
- rhythm, as of poetry or music
- a device, as a seat hanging from ropes or chains, on which one can sit and swing backward and forward as a form of amusement
- a trip or tour: a swing around the country
- a style of jazz, esp. in its development from about 1935 to 1945, characterized by the use of large bands, fast tempos, and written arrangements for ensemble playing
- Informal, Business regular upward and downward change in the price of stocks or in some other business activity
- of, in, or playing swing (music)
Origin of swing
see swingtransitive verb of or having the ability to sway an election or vote: independents were the majority of the swing vote
swing Idioms
in full swing
- in complete and active operation
- going on without reserve or restraint
