red flag

¹

noun

1. the symbol or banner of a left-wing revolutionary party.

2. a danger signal.

3. something that provokes an angry or hostile reaction.

   The talk about raising taxes was a red flag to many voters.

4. Also called powder flag. Nautical.,  a red burgee, designating in the International Code of Signals the letter “B,” flown by itself to show that a vessel is carrying, loading, or discharging explosives or highly inflammable material.

5. (initial capital letters),  a war game the U.S. Air Force holds several times each year at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to train personnel in air combat.

red-flag

²

[red-flag]

verb (used with object)

red-flagged, red-flagging 

1. to mark or draw attention to for a particular purpose.

   The department has red-flagged the most urgent repair work to be done.

2. to provoke the attention of; alert; arouse.

   The animal's refusal to eat red-flagged the keeper that something was wrong.

adjective

1. of or relating to a red flag.

2. intended or serving to emphasize, warn, incite, or provoke.

red flag

¹

noun

1. a symbol of socialism, communism, or revolution

2. a warning of danger or a signal to stop

Red Flag

²

noun

1. a socialist song, written by James Connell (1852–1929), Irish political activist, in 1889

Word History and Origins

Origin of red flag¹

First recorded in 1770–80

Origin of red flag²

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Nile, though, is unencumbered by empathy, guilt, or the urge for compromise, a mile-long bunting of red flags spooled into one cashmere-clad creep.

Read more on Salon

Band’s clinician said the database showed “no red flags.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Alle criticized Mayor Karen Bass’ decision to fly to Ghana ahead of the red flag warning.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Bankruptcy Court in Houston, who oversees First Brands’ bankruptcy case, said there were “red flags” in how the company was handling its finances under James.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I'm thinking, 'oh, my god, what have I got myself into? Why didn't I see like the red flags?'" she said.

Read more on BBC