fly (one's) freak flag
slang To behave in or embrace an unusual, unconventional, or uninhibited manner or mode of being. My parents are rather conservative, so it's liberating to be in college where I can fly the freak flag without worrying about their reprisals. My favorite music tends to come from artists who aren't afraid to fly their freak flags a bit.
freak flag
Any unconventional, nonconformist, or uninhibited behavior, convictions, opinions, or lifestyle choices that are unique to an individual. My high school literature teacher taught me to always be true to myself and to wear my freak flag proudly.
raise a red flag
To offer a sign or signal indicating potential, incipient, or imminent danger or trouble. Didn't the fact that your accountant used to be a drug dealer raise a red flag or two when you started doing business with him? Well, it definitely raised a red flag when he got so angry at me over such a minor thing, but I never thought he could be so unreasonable to live with!
red flag
A sign or signal indicating potential, incipient, or imminent danger or trouble. There are a couple of red flags you need to look out for to make sure your company stays in the black. Well, it definitely raised a red flag when he got so angry at me over such a minor thing, but I never thought he could be so unreasonable to live with!
be like a red flag to a bull
To be a willfully infuriating or aggravating provocation; to be something that incites great anger or annoyance. An allusion to matadors' practice of waving red flags at a bull during a bullfight, though the color of the flag actually makes no difference to the animal. John's gone to gloat about his success over his brother, which is like a red flag to a bull, if you ask me. You do realize that bringing your new girlfriend to your ex-wife's house is like a red flag to a bull, right?
a red flag to a bull
A willfully infuriating or aggravating provocation; something that incites great anger or annoyance. An allusion to matadors' practice of waving red flags at a bull during a bullfight, though the color of the flag actually makes no difference to the animal. John's gone to gloat about his success over his brother, which is a red flag to a bull if I've ever seen one. You do realize that bringing your new girlfriend to your ex-wife's house is like a red flag to a bull, right?
show the flag
To stand up for, support, or defend someone or something. A number of people from the actor's hometown are arriving into New York to show the flag at his debut performance on Broadway. My country is often a target for insults or gibes abroad, so whenever I go traveling I make a point of showing the flag for it.
hoist (a/the) white flag
To offer a sign of surrender or defeat; to yield or give in. After the prosecutors brought forward their newest evidence, the defendant hoisted the white flag and agreed to the plea bargain. We've been in negotiations for weeks, but it looks like the other company might finally be ready to hoist a white flag.
show (a/the) white flag
To offer a sign of surrender or defeat; to yield or give in. After the prosecutors brought forward their newest evidence, the defendant showed the white flag and agreed to the plea bargain. We've been in negotiations for weeks, but it looks like the other company might finally be ready to show a white flag.
wave (a/the) white flag
To offer a sign of surrender or defeat; to yield or give in. After the prosecutors brought forward their newest evidence, the defendant waved the white flag and agreed to the plea bargain. We've been in negotiations for weeks, but it looks like the other company might finally be ready to wave a white flag.
white flag
A signal of surrender or defeat; a sign that one going to yield or give up. (From the literal white flag originating in military use, which signaled a protective truce or ceasefire so that negotiations could be arranged.) The president's speech today was seen by many as a white flag regarding his controversial stance on the immigration debate. We've been in negotiations for weeks, but it looks like the other company might finally be ready to wave a white flag.
raise the white flag
To indicate one's surrender, defeat, or submission. All right, I raise the white flag—you win the game. That attack totally decimated us, and we were forced to raise the white flag.
red-flag term
A word that is particularly offensive or controversial and thus sparks an immediate emotional reaction. The phrase may reference the red flag because it is the tool traditionally used by matadors to aggravate bulls. How dare you say a red-flag term like that to me, your own mother! Please don't say any red-flag terms at this dinner party.
Spanish flag
A nickname for the California rockfish, due to its red and white markings. I caught a Spanish flag while I was out on the boat today.
strike (one's) flag
To lower the flag on a ship in a show of surrender. Captain, they've struck their flag! We've won!