freakout

American  

[freek-out] / ˈfrikˌaʊt /

noun

1. an act or instance of freaking out.

2. a person who freaks out.

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verb phrase

1. to lose or cause to lose emotional control from extreme excitement, shock, fear, joy, despair, etc..

   Seeing the dead body completely freaked him out.

2. to enter into or cause a period of irrational behavior or emotional instability, especially under the influence of a drug.

   to be freaked out on LSD.

Etymology

Origin of freakout

First recorded in 1965–70; noun use of verb phrase freak out (in the sense “to lose one's emotional control”

Example Sentences

However, Lauren Bradshaw of Fangirl Freakout said: "Emilia Pérez is a magnificent, genre-bending thrill ride that transcends the typical movie construct, breathing a fresh burst of excitement into the way we think about film."

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2024

Since its inception, Freakout has grown into a four-night blowout returning Nov. 2-5, organizers announced Wednesday, spreading 100-plus bands across seven Ballard venues.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2023

After becoming early adopters of the pandemic livestream, these psych-rock staples — who headline Freakout Records’ NYE bash at The Crocodile — reemerged from quarantine this fall with this irresistible glam-rock triumph.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2021

This is a story about how the airport became the setting for the Great American Freakout.

From Slate • Sep. 7, 2017

This new development sends the political world into Full Freakout Mode, with cable-TV political analysts forced to change their underwear on an hourly basis.

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2016