Freak out

Meaning

React in panic or horror.

Usage

Describes losing composure.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Beatnik and hippie vocabulary of the 1950s and 1960s.

Popularized by music and film of the 1960s.