Meaning & Origin
Coined in 1960s counter‑culture, freak out originally referred to psychedelic experiences. It soon broadened to any intense emotional reaction.
Pronunciation Guide
Say it as FREAK OUT: /friːk aʊt/.
Usage & Sentence Examples
- She freaked out when she lost her passport.
- Horror movies freak me out.
- Don’t freak out—there’s a simple fix.
Synonyms
- panic
- lose it
- flip out
- go nuts
- go ballistic