1. Home
2. Idioms
3. flex

flex

---

---

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

flex your/its muscles

to act in a way that shows power or strength This very poor nation is beginning to flex its muscles as an important producer of coffee. Conservatives are flexing their muscles in local elections this fall.

See also: flex, muscle

flex your muscles

to use or increase your influence or power He was a very successful movie actor, but he's decided to flex his muscles on the stage for a while.

Usage notes: sometimes used with an adjective to show a particular kind of influence or power: The attorney general is flexing his legal muscles to enforce gun control laws.

Etymology: from the literal meaning of flex your muscles (to tighten your muscles)

See also: flex, muscle

flex your muscles

if a person or an organization flexes their muscles, they take some action to let people know how powerful they are The latest bomb scare was just the terrorists flexing their muscles - showing us they haven't gone away.

See also: flex, muscle

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

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

flex (one's) muscles

Informal

To exhibit or show off one's strength.

See also: flex, muscle