red flag
7
3.7
- noun
- /rɛd flæɡ/
:
bandera roja
- NASCAR was forced to display the red flag for cleanup.
This early warning system potentially can provide us with a red flag that things are a little bit unstable.
- This early warning system potentially can provide us with a red flag that things are a little bit unstable.
Examples
-
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning today due to strong winds and dry conditions.
-
The brakeman headed up the track to the north, waving a red flag as he went to set out the warning for any southbound trains.
Fiction book (1999) -
At the time she is there, the red flag is still flying on the School of Law building.
Blog text (22) -
This early warning system potentially can provide us with a red flag that things are a little bit unstable.
-
There were no soldiers there today, but there was a red flag flying on one of the roofs.
Fiction book (1996) -
After the recent drought, the forest was under a red flag warning for potential wildfires.
-
With temperatures rising rapidly, officials declared a red flag alert to ensure public safety.
Synonyms
297
2.8
A warning that something dangerous or important may happen
54
1.6
Something that shows there may be danger or a problem
7
3.2
A light that turns on in vehicles or machines to show a problem
2
1.7
A warning that something is wrong and you should stop or be careful
1
3.7
A sign that something dangerous may happen
How Serious
Surface Forms
Morphology
A B1 learner who knows 'red' and 'flag' will readily infer the literal compositional meaning 'a flag that is red', so the basic form is transparent. However, the specific conventional political meaning as a symbol of socialist/left‑wing movements is culturally conventional and not directly derivable from the constituents without background knowledge, so the overall item is only partially predictable.
Etymology
Red flag comes from real red flags people put up where there was danger, because the bright red color made them easy to see. That's why red flag now means a 'warning sign'.