Heads or tails meaning in English
Learn how to use Heads or tails correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
Heads or tails?: Which side of the coin do you choose?
the tail (of a gecko): the elongated part at the back (of a gecko)
Examples
- "We're going to flip it. Heads or tails?"
Exercise 1
From the list below, select the TRUE statements, according to the conversation.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
From the list below, select the TRUE statements, according to the conversation.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
This is a true statement. Bruno tells us "I've been invited to speak at the British-American Perfumers' Forum in London, England". Brian offers to show him "all the great sights: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, and London Bridge". These are all situated in London. At the end of the conversation, Bruno says that he and Brian will "leave tomorrow morning".
This statement is false. Bruno makes no decision of preference in this conversation. Rather, he "flips" or "tosses" a coin in order to choose fairly between Brian and Donna. The "decision" is based on luck, not preference.
This statement is true. Brian says "it would really be a pleasure" to accompany Bruno to London. Donna is also excited, saying "I would love to go with you". This means that both Brian and Donna are very interested in this journey.
This is a false statement. Bruno tells us that he has been invited to "the British-American Perfumers Forum", which Donna describes as "the biggest perfume forum in the world". He hasn't been invited to visit his relatives or "family".
Exercise 2
Read the following sentences carefully, and then fill in the blanks, using words from the conversation you just heard.
Term number 1 is a verb which means "to turn over quickly", "to rotate", or "to change sides".
Term number 2 is a metal object used as currency, or to buy things.
- I have a difficult decision to make.
- Then why don't you (1) a (2)?
Terms numbers 3 and 4 refer to the two different sides of the metal object.
- Which one do you choose: (3) or (4)? (Hint: Bruno asks this question to Brian and Donna).
Term number 1 is a verb which means "to turn over quickly", "to rotate", or "to change sides".
Term number 2 is a metal object used as currency, or to buy things.
- I have a difficult decision to make.
- Then why don't you (1) a (2)?
Terms numbers 3 and 4 refer to the two different sides of the metal object.
- Which one do you choose: (3) or (4)? (Hint: Bruno asks this question to Brian and Donna).
Read the following sentences carefully, and then fill in the blanks, using words from the conversation you just heard.
Term number 1 is a verb which means "to turn over quickly", "to rotate", or "to change sides".
Term number 2 is a metal object used as currency, or to buy things.
- I have a difficult decision to make.
- Then why don't you flip 1(1) a coin 2(2)?
Terms numbers 3 and 4 refer to the two different sides of the metal object.
- Which one do you choose: heads 3(3) or tails 4(4)? (Hint: Bruno asks this question to Brian and Donna).
Term number 1 is a verb which means "to turn over quickly", "to rotate", or "to change sides".
Term number 2 is a metal object used as currency, or to buy things.
- I have a difficult decision to make.
- Then why don't you flip 1(1) a coin 2(2)?
Terms numbers 3 and 4 refer to the two different sides of the metal object.
- Which one do you choose: heads 3(3) or tails 4(4)? (Hint: Bruno asks this question to Brian and Donna).
1 flip: This is correct. The term "to flip" means to turn something over quickly. In the conversation, Bruno "flips a coin" to make a decision. To "flip" shares a similar meaning with to "toss" in this context. We can also "flip a pancake", "flip the pages of a book", or "flip a cassette to play the other side", among other things. Note that we can also use the expression "to toss a coin".
2 coin: This is correct. A "coin" is a small, usually round, piece of metal which is used as money. Examples include the "penny" in Britain, the "dime" in the USA, or the "cent" in Euroland. In this context, it is tossed into the air, and the side it lands on will help Bruno make a decision.
3 heads: This is correct. In this context, the term "heads" is used to refer to one side of a coin: the side often featuring the portrait of a monarch or leader. Note that the plural form must be used in this context: we never say "head" in relation to a coin.
4 tails: This is correct. In this context, the term "tails" is used to refer to one side of a coin. This side often features crests or national emblems: for example, the American eagle in the USA, or Britannia in the UK. Note that the plural form must be used in this context: we never say "tail" in relation to a coin.
Exercise 3
Bonus question! Polly writes about "flipping a coin". What common expression is used to describe the two possible outcomes when you "flip a coin"?
or
or
Bonus question! Polly writes about "flipping a coin". What common expression is used to describe the two possible outcomes when you "flip a coin"?
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 Heads: "Heads" is the side of the coin with the head of the queen or president on it (depending on how advanced your democracy is). Before we flip the coin, we call "heads or tails?". Example: I always call heads when I toss a coin.
2 tails: "Tails" is the side of the coin that hasn't got a head on it. The "tail" is the part that sticks out of the back of many animals (dogs are famous for wagging their tails when they are happy!). The term derives from the head and the tail being considered opposite body parts. Example: I lost my house when the coin came up tails.
Exercise 4
From the list below, select the TRUE statements, according to the conversation.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
From the list below, select the TRUE statements, according to the conversation.
There may be more than one correct answer!
There may be more than one correct answer!
This is a true statement. Bruno tells us "I've been invited to speak at the British-American Perfumers' Forum in London, England". Brian offers to show him "all the great sights: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, and London Bridge". These are all situated in London. At the end of the conversation, Bruno says that he and Brian will "leave tomorrow morning".
This statement is false. Bruno makes no decision of preference in this conversation. Rather, he "flips" or "tosses" a coin in order to choose fairly between Brian and Donna. The "decision" is based on luck, not preference.
This statement is true. Brian says "it would really be a pleasure" to accompany Bruno to London. Donna is also excited, saying "I would love to go with you". This means that both Brian and Donna are very interested in this journey.
This is a false statement. Bruno tells us that he has been invited to "the British-American Perfumers Forum", which Donna describes as "the biggest perfume forum in the world". He hasn't been invited to visit his relatives or "family".
Exercise 5
Read the following sentences carefully, and then fill in the blanks, using words from the conversation you just heard.
Term number 1 is a verb which means "to turn over quickly", "to rotate", or "to change sides".
Term number 2 is a metal object used as currency, or to buy things.
- I have a difficult decision to make.
- Then why don't you (1) a (2)?
Terms numbers 3 and 4 refer to the two different sides of the metal object.
- Which one do you choose: (3) or (4)? (Hint: Bruno asks this question to Brian and Donna).
Term number 1 is a verb which means "to turn over quickly", "to rotate", or "to change sides".
Term number 2 is a metal object used as currency, or to buy things.
- I have a difficult decision to make.
- Then why don't you (1) a (2)?
Terms numbers 3 and 4 refer to the two different sides of the metal object.
- Which one do you choose: (3) or (4)? (Hint: Bruno asks this question to Brian and Donna).
Read the following sentences carefully, and then fill in the blanks, using words from the conversation you just heard.
Term number 1 is a verb which means "to turn over quickly", "to rotate", or "to change sides".
Term number 2 is a metal object used as currency, or to buy things.
- I have a difficult decision to make.
- Then why don't you flip 1(1) a coin 2(2)?
Terms numbers 3 and 4 refer to the two different sides of the metal object.
- Which one do you choose: heads 3(3) or tails 4(4)? (Hint: Bruno asks this question to Brian and Donna).
Term number 1 is a verb which means "to turn over quickly", "to rotate", or "to change sides".
Term number 2 is a metal object used as currency, or to buy things.
- I have a difficult decision to make.
- Then why don't you flip 1(1) a coin 2(2)?
Terms numbers 3 and 4 refer to the two different sides of the metal object.
- Which one do you choose: heads 3(3) or tails 4(4)? (Hint: Bruno asks this question to Brian and Donna).
1 flip: This is correct. The term "to flip" means to turn something over quickly. In the conversation, Bruno "flips a coin" to make a decision. To "flip" shares a similar meaning with to "toss" in this context. We can also "flip a pancake", "flip the pages of a book", or "flip a cassette to play the other side", among other things. Note that we can also use the expression "to toss a coin".
2 coin: This is correct. A "coin" is a small, usually round, piece of metal which is used as money. Examples include the "penny" in Britain, the "dime" in the USA, or the "cent" in Euroland. In this context, it is tossed into the air, and the side it lands on will help Bruno make a decision.
3 heads: This is correct. In this context, the term "heads" is used to refer to one side of a coin: the side often featuring the portrait of a monarch or leader. Note that the plural form must be used in this context: we never say "head" in relation to a coin.
4 tails: This is correct. In this context, the term "tails" is used to refer to one side of a coin. This side often features crests or national emblems: for example, the American eagle in the USA, or Britannia in the UK. Note that the plural form must be used in this context: we never say "tail" in relation to a coin.
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