flex

flex

1. verb, slang To do or say something in a conspicuously ostentatious or showy manner in order to gain the attention of others. If you couldn't tell from his endless flexing on social media, Vince is wildly insecure. And no amount of flashy cars or splashy vacations can fix that. Maybe I do want to flex about my gorgeous engagement ring for a little bit, OK? Is that so wrong? A: "Ugh, does everyone have to flex online about their fabulous significant others?" B: "Do I detect a bit of jealousy?"

2. noun, slang An instance of such boastful behavior. I hate that everything Jen posts these days is a flex about how much she makes at work. Does she not realize that post about it all the time makes her look really immature? It was a $500 stroller! Sorry, that's not a flex—more like, this baby stuff is so wildly expensive, we can't afford to break it! Look at my new car! Not a flex, I'm just really excited to have bought a new car for the first time in my life.

flex (one's) muscle(s)

1. Literally, to contract one's muscles, especially to demonstrate their size and strength. He's so vain, flexing his muscles in the mirror whenever he thinks no one is looking. She flexed her muscles and told us not to mess with her brother again. A: "Wait, did you just flex your muscles? Sorry, I didn't notice any change in your arm." B: "Ugh, you're such a jerk."

2. By extension, to demonstrate one's influence, power, or strength. The small but outspoken nation has been flexing its muscles lately, with a wide range of military demonstrations. The wealthy business tycoon flexed his muscle to get the charges dropped against his son. I have flexed my muscle with City Hall, but they still refuse to reinstate our building project!

See also: flex

flex (something) out of shape

To cause something to become misshapen or misaligned. That car accident really flexed my passenger-side door out of shape. You sat on your glasses? Yeah, that'll flex the frames out of shape! Yikes, what flexed the gutter all out of shape?

See also: flex, of, out, shape

flex about (something)

slang To do or say something in a conspicuously ostentatious or showy manner in order to gain the attention of others. If you couldn't tell from his endless flexing about flashy cars and splashy vacations on social media, Vince is wildly insecure. Maybe I do want to flex about my gorgeous engagement ring for a little bit, OK? Is that so wrong? A: "Ugh, does everyone have to flex online about their fabulous significant others?" B: "Do I detect a bit of jealousy?"

See also: flex

flexed out of shape

Misshapen or misaligned. Ever since the car accident, my passenger-side door has been flexed out of shape. You sat on your glasses? Well, no wonder the frames are flexed out of shape! Yikes, what happened to the gutter? It's totally flexed out of shape.

See also: flex, of, out, shape

Weird flex, but OK.

slang Said when one believes another person's comment or statement to be a boast that is somehow strange, out of place, or not actually a desirable thing to brag about. Used especially in online communications. A: "Yeah? Well, I once ate 25 hot dogs in less than five minutes!" B: "Wow. Weird flex, but OK."

See also: but, weird

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

flex something out of shape

to bend something out of its normal shape. Don't flex all the hangers out of shape. We need a few in the closet. Who flexed the gate out of shape?

See also: flex, of, out, shape

flexed out of shape

Sl. very angry; bent out of shape. The boss was completely flexed out of shape. I am truly flexed out of shape.

See also: flex, of, out, shape

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

flex one's muscles

Show off one's strength or power, as in The boys love flexing their muscles, or The new department head has decided to flex her muscles. [Early 1900s]

See also: flex, muscle

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

flex your muscles

or

flex your muscle

COMMON If people or organizations flex their muscles or flex their muscle, they behave in a way that is intended to show that they have power and are considering using it. A pro-democracy movement is starting to flex its muscles. The miners' actions last year seem to have encouraged workers in the oil industry to flex their industrial muscle.

See also: flex, muscle

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

flex your muscles

give a show of strength or power.

1998 Times Mr Prescott is flexing his muscles and the City is wondering just how far he is prepared to go.

See also: flex, muscle

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

flex your ˈmuscles

show that you are ready and prepared to use your power, abilities, etc: He’s flexing his muscles, waiting for the day he becomes president.

Athletes flex (= stretch and tighten) their muscles before a race, a fight, a game, etc.

See also: flex, muscle

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

flexed out of shape

mod. very angry; bent out of shape. The boss was completely flexed out of shape.

See also: flex, of, out, shape

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

flex (one's) muscles

Informal

To exhibit or show off one's strength.

See also: flex, muscle

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.