Learn English – Does “freak somebody out” mean “make somebody angry”

collocationmeaningverbs

This is an excerpt from the Longman Dictionary Of Contemporary English.

freak out

phrasal verb informal
to become very anxious, upset, or afraid, or make someone very anxious, upset, or afraid

People just freaked out when they heard the news.

freak somebody out

The whole idea freaked me out.

I'm curious whether freak out has the meaning of "make somebody angry"?

Best Answer

To "freak somebody out" is to startle or upset or scare them. They can get angry as a consequence, but that is not the direct meaning.

You really freaked me out when you told me the tests showed you had cancer. I'm glad it turned out to be a false positive.

You really freaked me out when you lied to me about the test showing I had cancer. Did you think that was funny, you jerk?

Both first sentences use "freaked out" to express consternation. But the consequences are different in each.

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