red flag
77
3.6
- noun
- /rɛd flæɡ/
- Informal
:
señal de alarma
- Ignoring the recurring red flags in his behavior could lead to even bigger issues later.
- raise red flags
- red flag symptom
- look for red flags
These are classical red flags that show up very early.
- These are classical red flags that show up very early.
- Seventh way this red flag shows up is contempt.
- Why wouldn't they see the glaring red flags of narcissism from miles away?
- That could be a red flag that childhood diabetes is coming.
- So that's a huge red flag to pay attention to.
- So when a guy gives you red flags, go ahead and say goodbye.
- OK, anyone see any red flags right off the bat?
- Like how much more of a red flag can you get?
- But either way, red flags aren't just what people do.
Examples
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The second massive red flag to me was the CapEx.
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What he was doing was a red flag for us.
-
But there should be one large red flag here, right?
-
This is a big red flag.
-
So far, no red flags.
-
That could be a red flag that childhood diabetes is coming.
-
So that's a huge red flag to pay attention to.
-
Her inaccuracies are an additional red flag of concern.
Academic text (2007) -
This, to us, is a gigantic red flag of credibility.
-
His overall average grades and test scores may not raise any "red flags" about his potential ADHD.
Academic text (2015)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A statement or sign that tells people about danger before it happens
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
5
3.2
A loud sound or flashing light that tells people there is danger
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
1
3.5
A sign that tells people about a possible problem
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 is used like a real warning flag: when we notice a small, worrying sign in a person or situation, we call it a 'red flag' because it signals possible trouble ahead.