freak flag
Unconventional or unrestrained behavior; extreme, nonconformist views; the side of one's personality which harbors a tendency toward such behavior or such views.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She loves to let her freak flag fly at music festivals.”
“You should let your freak flag fly and show everyone your strange collection.”
“After years of hiding his true interests, he finally felt comfortable letting his freak flag fly among his new friends.”
“I usually wear professional suits for work, but I let my freak flag fly by wearing bright, mismatched socks every single day.”
“The neighborhood garden competition is the one time a year when my quiet neighbor lets his freak flag fly with giant neon sculptures.”
“The artist encouraged his students to abandon their inhibitions and let their freak flags fly, believing that true creativity requires a total rejection of social conformity.”
first recorded 20th c.
The expression originated in 1967 within the lyrics of the Jimi Hendrix song If 6 Was 9. It was subsequently popularised through its inclusion in the counterculture anthem Almost Cut My Hair by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
- 01
flag down
Use a flag or similar kind of signal to get someone's attention.
- 02
fly the flag
To support one's country enthusiastically.
- 03
get one's freak on
To have sex.
- 04
Hoover flag
An empty (penniless) pocket, turned inside out, showing that someone has no money (especially during the Great Depression.)
- 05
raise the flag and see who salutes
To float an idea, (or otherwise do some action) to see what response or controversy (if any) it generates, usually as a preliminary step.
- 06
rally round the flag
To unite in order to support one's country, especially during a crisis or war.
- 07
red flag
Something that will enrage a particular person; a red rag.
- 08
show the flag
Of a naval vessel or military force, to identify itself by displaying the flag of its country of origin, especially in order to establish an authoritative presence and to exert diplomatic or political influence.
Last updated August 10, 2026