The "Flip The Switch" Challenge, Explained

Confused about why you're seeing "Flip the Switch" challenge everywhere? The meme started on TikTok, and quickly went viral. We explained.

Katherine J. Igoe's avatar
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Published In Features
Cropped hand of woman photographing female friend in mirror reflection at dorm bathroom
(Image credit: Maskot)

Move over, cat/lady yelling meme, because you are so 2019. If you are old, like myself, the number one question on your mind from this weekend is: "Wait, what is that Flip the Switch thing I've been seeing all over social media?" Well, great news, because I have answers to all your questions. The Flip the Switch, Flip and Switch, or simply Flip Challenge is a viral sensation that started on TikTok and quickly spread to Twitter, Instagram, and finally Facebook. So what do we know about this social media sensation?

"Flip the Switch" comes from a Drake song.

The line derives from Drake's song "Nonstop." The lyric goes, "Look, I just flipped the switch (flipped, flipped) / I don't know nobody else that's doin' this."

In the meme, generally speaking, the setup is thus: Two people stand in front of a mirror, one in the foreground, one in the background, and the person in the back dances and moves around while the person in front holds the phone. Then the lights go out, and when they come back on, the people have reversed and are wearing the other's outfit. The person in the back is now dancing (they flipped it—get it? You get it.)

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Since the challenge started, people have started experimenting with the format, with absolutely delightful results.

These "Flip Challenge" videos have helped it gain buzz.

This one between a dad and his daughter (both of them crack up approximately one second into the switch) is just darling:

Oh dear Lord yes.

Oh my God, my brain and heart just exploded simultaneously:

I think the angry faces really make this one a chefs kiss for me (Go mama!):

Even though this one doesn't quite adhere to the same format, it's still a delight to watch:

Celebrities got in on the meme.

Absolutely adorable couple A. Rod and J. Lo, willing to get goofy (it's one of their more endearing qualities):

And, what might be my favorite of all time, Senator Elizabeth Warren with the SNL actor who plays her (you can actually see Kate McKinnon starting to break there at the end):

I'm sure, like most trends, this one will be short-lived but absolutely epic. So keep searching that hashtag for a good laugh.

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Katherine J. Igoe
Katherine J. Igoe
Contributing Editor

Katherine’s a contributing syndications editor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. In her role, she writes stories that are syndicated by MSN and other outlets. She’s been a full-time freelancer for over a decade and has had roles with Cosmopolitan (where she covered lifestyle, culture, and fashion SEO content) and Bustle (where she was their movies and culture writer). She has bylines in New York Times, Parents, InStyle, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Her work has also been syndicated by ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and Women’s Health, among others. In addition to her stories reaching millions of readers, content she's written and edited has qualified for a Bell Ringer Award and received a Communicator Award. 

Katherine has a BA in English and art history from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in art business from the Sotheby's Institute of Art (with a focus on marketing/communications). She covers a wide breadth of topics: she's written about how to find the very best petite jeans, how sustainable travel has found its footing on Instagram, and what it's like to be a professional advice-giver in the modern world. Her personal essays have run the gamut from learning to dress as a queer woman to navigating food allergies as a mom. She also has deep knowledge of SEO/EATT, affiliate revenue, commerce, and social media; she regularly edits the work of other writers. She speaks at writing-related events and podcasts about freelancing and journalism, mentors students and other new writers, and consults on coursework. Currently, Katherine lives in Boston with her husband and two kids, and you can follow her on Instagram. If you're wondering about her last name, it’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.