flex
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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.
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.
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.
flexed out of shape
Misshapen or misaligned. Ever since the car accident, my passenger-side door has been flexed out of shape.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 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?
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.
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]
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
orflex 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.