freak out

British  

verb

1. informal to be or cause to be in a heightened emotional state, such as that of fear, anger, or excitement

---

freak out Idioms  

1. Experience or cause to experience hallucinations, paranoia, or other frightening feelings as a result of taking a mind-altering drug. For example, They were freaking out on LSD or some other drug . [ Slang ; mid-1960s]

2. Behave or cause to behave irrationally and uncontrollably, with enthusiasm, excitement, fear, or madness. For example, The band's wild playing made the audience freak out , or It was such a close accident, it really freaked me out , or She freaked out and ended up in the psychiatric ward . [ Slang ; 1960s] Also see flip one's lid ; wig out .

---

Example Sentences

I knew people would freak out at the reveal, it’s such an exciting moment.

From Los Angeles Times

After she nurses him back to health, Matt falls madly in love only to freak out when he learns about her sordid past.

From Los Angeles Times

"If you were, like, 'There's turbulence up ahead, I don't know if we're actually going to land in Dallas'... everyone on the plane is going to freak out," she explains.

From BBC

It’s easier than freaking out about it all day.

From Literature

Sometimes, investors freak out when a company makes a deal.

From Barron's

Related Words

• go crazy
• lose it