Street
switch
What does switch mean?
A person who isn't locked into giving or receiving, topping or bottoming. They flip depending on mood, partner, or the day of the week. The opposite of a pillow princess or a stone top, a switch does it all.
"Don't put me in a box, I'm a switch, some nights I run the show and some nights I really don't want to."
Origin
Slang for an illegal full-auto conversion device for handguns, made notorious through Chicago drill and spread across the rap internet. 'Switch up' meaning to betray is a separate AAVE usage.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'switch' mean in drill?
It refers to an illegal device that makes a pistol fire fully automatic, used as a firepower reference in lyrics.
What does 'switch up' mean in slang?
It means to change loyalties, turn on someone, or suddenly change your behavior toward them.
Why do drill rappers mention switches?
It's used as an aggressive firepower flex within the genre's lyrical style.
Are 'switch' and 'switch up' related?
They share a word but mean different things — one is a gun device, the other is betraying or changing loyalties.
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