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

Don’t forget to breathe when you feel nervous, and don’t forget to breathe when you’re freaking out like she was doing now.

From Literature

“This isn’t your call. Dad asked me to stay home and I’m going to. I’m letting you know so you don’t freak out like you did the last time I missed a day.”

From Literature

And I don’t think anybody in this organization should be kind of freaking out and jumping out of their seats for the six or seven minutes that it happened.”

From Los Angeles Times

“She’s freaking out right now,” said a boy at a nearby table.

From Literature

“I’m telling you, these kids are freaking out — jumping up and down, singing along to all the words. They’re, like, pogo-ing.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• go crazy
• lose it