red-flag

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verb

ˈred-ˈflag 

red-flagged; red-flagging; red-flags

transitive verb

: to identify or draw attention to (a problem or issue to be dealt with)

Those who voice the most displeasure in their marriage, are more likely to complain about their partner's weight, Newport adds, which may help counselors red-flag weakening relationships before it's too late.

—Matthew J. Cravatta

Drug testing, detailed questions about previous employment history, and criminal-record checks go a long way toward red-flagging risks.

—Anne Fisher

We met, we got along great, and I [Spike Lee] told her, "Not only do I want you to work with the actors, but I want you to look at this script. I am a man, and I know there's going to be stuff in there that's strictly from a male viewpoint—I want you to red-flag that stuff."

—Anne Stockwell

red flag

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noun

plural red flags

: a warning signal or sign

A high body-mass index is a red flag in general to clinicians. But sudden, unexplained weight loss can be even more worrisome.

—Melinda Beck

: something that indicates or draws attention to a problem, danger, or irregularity

Interested large investors often send in their own CPAs to conduct complete audits to verify statements or to spot red flags, such as excessively old inventory or uncollectible accounts receivable.

—Inc.

Whether you're dating a potential gold digger or are surrounded by friends who are constantly asking for handouts, you'll want to protect your money from those kinds of drains. Watch out for red flags such as dishonesty, secrecy around money matters and requests to co-sign a loan.

—Kimberly Palmer

Though Kearse did not take legal possession of the car until Jan. 4, 1999, after his eligibility had expired, the purchase raised red flags. [=aroused suspicions of wrongdoing]

—L. Jon Wertheim

see also red flag law

Synonyms

Noun

• caution
• red light
• tip-off
• tocsin
• wake-up call
• warning

Examples of red-flag in a Sentence

Noun

Gaps in your employment history are red flags to employers.

the résumé she accidentally left on the office printer was a red flag that she was planning to quit

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The fire occurred on a day when -- despite red flag warnings, high wind watches and fire weather watches -- the Maui Emergency Management Agency was understaffed, the attorney general's report showed. —Brianna Sacks and Anumita Kaur The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 21 Apr. 2024

For several years, the department has raised red flags about the decaying Vista Detention Facility next to the Vista Courthouse, a jail the department says is decades passed its prime life. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024

But the substance is raising red flags with health experts and regulators, and for good reason. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Apr. 2024

View in new tab Maui Fire Department wasn't prepared for a disaster According to the Fire Chiefs Association report, the weather service issued its first red flag warning on Aug. 5, warning of potential fire conditions from Aug. 7 through Aug. 9. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

The fire occurred on a day when — despite red flag warnings, high wind watches and fire weather watches — the Maui Emergency Management Agency was understaffed, the attorney general’s report showed. —Anumita Kaur, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024

The Maui Fire Department released its own after-action report Tuesday, chronicling how wildfires and the emergency response to them unfolded across the island from Aug. 7 to Aug. 11, during a tropical storm that had prompted red flag warnings in the preceding days. —Lewis Kamb, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024

Ahead of spring thunderstorms on Wednesday, the Detroit/Pontiac National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning until 8 p.m. on Tuesday as low humidity and breezy winds in southeast Michigan could contribute to dangerous fires. —Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024

Watch out for red flags like spelling or grammar mistakes, unusual email addresses or URLs, and requests for sensitive information that reputable organizations wouldn’t typically demand. —Ebony Flake, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1962, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1748, in the meaning defined above