backflip
Gymnast's aerial rotation
A backflip is an acrobatic move where you leap and rotate backward, landing on your feet.
Gymnasts, divers, and cheerleaders perform backflips; so do skateboarders and parkour practitioners, often off obstacles.
Figuratively, to do a backflip is to reverse position dramatically: The senator did a backflip on the tax bill.
Full-body forward rotation
- tumblingAcrobatic rolling and flipping
- aerialElevated, or signal-catcher
- vaultingLeaping over something
- trampolineSpring-mounted bouncing surface
tuck · layout · twist · rotation · dismount · handspring · roundoff · cartwheel
Fold into concealment
- pikeLong battlefield spear
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
- straddleSit with legs spanning
- gainerBackward flip dive
twist · full · double · triple · arabesque · whip · punch · set
Emergency response hormone
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- daredevilReckless risk-taker
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- fearlessLacking any apprehension
courage · stunt · boldness · rush · extreme · risk · freefall · heart-pounding
Quick and light-moving
- spryLively despite years
- suppleFlexing without damage
- flexibleAble to bend freely
- lightfootedMoving with minimal impact
quick · graceful · limber · athletic · explosive · springy · acrobatic · dynamic
Accuracy of measurement
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
practice · mastery · timing · control · progression · drill · repetition · conditioning
Full directional reversal
- U-turnDirection-reversing driving maneuver
- volte-faceComplete reversal of opinion
- turnaroundShift in opposite direction
- pivotPoint of rotation
one-eighty · retraction · walkback · switcheroo · contradiction
Not anticipated beforehand
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- jaw-droppingExtremely surprising or impressive
- astonishingCausing great wonder
spontaneous · impromptu · showstopper · double-take · gasp · viral · impressive · reaction
somersault
Full-body forward rotation
- tumblingAcrobatic rolling and flipping
- aerialElevated, or signal-catcher
- vaultingLeaping over something
trampoline · tuck · layout · twist · rotation · dismount · handspring · roundoff · cartwheel · gainer
tuck
Fold into concealment
gainer · twist · full · double · triple · arabesque · whip · punch · set · takeoff
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- daredevilReckless risk-taker
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
fearless · courage · stunt · boldness · rush · extreme · risk · freefall · heart-pounding · showoff
nimble
Quick and light-moving
lightfooted · quick · graceful · limber · athletic · explosive · springy · acrobatic · dynamic · powerful
precision
Accuracy of measurement
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
balance · practice · mastery · timing · control · progression · drill · repetition · conditioning · strength
about-face
Full directional reversal
- U-turnDirection-reversing driving maneuver
- volte-faceComplete reversal of opinion
- turnaroundShift in opposite direction
pivot · one-eighty · retraction · walkback · switcheroo · contradiction
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- jaw-droppingExtremely surprising or impressive
astonishing · spontaneous · impromptu · showstopper · double-take · gasp · viral · impressive · reaction
- gymnasticsgymnastics, balance beam, floor exercise, handstand, parallel bars
- acrobaticsacrobat, tumbling, somersault, cartwheel, handstand
- dance movespirouette, shimmy, waltz, tango, cha-cha
- featsfeat, stunt, exploit, daring feat, deed
- Jumpshop, leap, bound, skip, bounce
- party trickscard tricks, card trick, magic trick, magic tricks, spoon bending
backflipfront flip
Airborne forward rotation
frontflip · forward somersault · front tuck · cartwheel · side flip
backflipconsistency
Reliable adherence to standards
steadfastness · holding firm · standing one's ground · doubling down · conviction