Red flag

Meaning

The idiom "red flag" refers to a situation, event, or person that should be considered potentially dangerous or problematic. It can also indicate a warning sign that something may go wrong or that caution is needed. The term comes from the practice of waving a red flag on horseback as a signal of danger or urgency.

Usage

• The report containing errors and inconsistencies raised several red flags for the company's management team.
• She noticed a red flag when he started acting strangely and withdrawn.
• We need to be cautious around that construction site - there are too many red flags indicating potential accidents.
• The new policy will have unintended consequences and could lead to significant financial losses, raising several red flags for the board of directors.
• The fact that the company's revenue has been declining for three quarters in a row is a major red flag that something needs to be done about. The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used in a business context to refer to financial errors or ethical violations, or in a personal context to refer to a warning sign of a potential relationship problem.

Roots and History

The earliest known use of the idiom dates back to the early 20th century, with the first recorded use appearing in an American newspaper in 1908. The phrase "red flag" has since become a commonly used idiom in contemporary language to indicate danger or urgency, with its origins rooted in the practice of waving red flags on horseback as a signal of danger or urgency.

Synonyms in English

• Alarm signal
• Warning sign
• Red light
• Watch out
• Be cautious

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: ¡Atención! (Attention!)
• French: Attention! (Attention!)
• German: Achtung! (Attention!)
• Italian: Attenzione! (Attention!)
• Portuguese: Atenção! (Attention!)

Similar Idioms

• white elephant

• in the red

• black mood