1 : to move backward and forward or from side to side while hanging from something [no obj] ▪ The sheets swung on the clothesline. ▪ The clock's pendulum stopped swinging. [+ obj] ▪ She sat on the edge of the table, swinging her legs. ▪ She swung the bag by the handle. [=she held the handle of the bag and made the bag swing] 2 always followed by an adverb, adjective, or preposition : to move with a smooth, curving motion [no obj] ▪ The monkeys were swinging from branch to branch high up in the trees. ▪ The door swung open/shut. [+ obj] ▪ He swung himself (up) into the truck. ▪ I swung my suitcase into the backseat of the car. ▪ She sat on the counter and swung her legs over to the other side. ▪ She swung the door open. 3 : to move (your arm, a tool, etc.) with a quick, curving motion especially to try to hit something [+ obj] ▪ Be careful how you swing that ax. ▪ She swung the bat but missed the ball. ▪ She swung her purse at me. [no obj] ▪ She swung (at the ball) but missed. ▪ He swung at me [=tried to hit me with his fist] for no reason. 4 [no obj] : to move back and forth on a special type of seat (called a swing)
▪ a playground where kids go to swing 5 always followed by an adverb or preposition : to turn or move quickly in a particular direction [no obj] ▪ The road swings to the left sharply after a few miles. — often + around ▪ He swung around to look at the clock. [+ obj] ▪ She swung the car into the driveway. ▪ He swung the flashlight toward the noise. 6 a always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to change suddenly from one state or condition to another
▪ Sales swung up sharply at the end of the year. ▪ The game suddenly swung in favor of the home team. ▪ His mood can swing wildly from cheerful to angry. ▪ They have to be ready to swing into action [=to start doing something quickly] at a moment's notice.
b [+ obj] : to change or influence (something) in an important way
▪ His strong performance in the second half swung the game in our favor. ▪ Her promise to lower taxes may have swung [=changed the outcome of] the presidential election. ▪ They may still swing their votes to the other candidate. 7 [+ obj] informal : to do or manage (something) successfully
▪ Do you think you can swing the job? ▪ She isn't able to swing [=afford] a new car on her income. ▪ If he can swing it, he'll visit next month. 8 [no obj] informal + somewhat old-fashioned : to be lively or exciting
▪ The bar really swings on weekends. ▪ The party was swinging. 9 [no obj] old-fashioned : to die by hanging
▪ He swung for his crimes.