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

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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 .

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Example Sentences

"It's a concern. We've had cops pull up for minor things and everybody freaks out because today, even if you have your papers -- which they all do -- anything can happen," the 20-year-old said.

From Barron's

Two stupid letters—thirteen stupid words, total—and I’m freaking out?

From Literature

So why is the market increasingly freaking out now?

From MarketWatch

“You got rate cuts coming, and you got prices coming off highs, while everybody’s freaking out over tech and software,” said Robert Edwards, chief investment officer at Edwards Asset Management.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Honestly, it would be weirder if he wasn’t freaking out.”

From Literature

Related Words

• go crazy
• lose it