The idiom "raise red flags" means to bring attention to something that may be a cause for concern or warning. It is often used to describe a situation or behavior that seems suspicious or potentially dangerous.
For example, if a person is applying for a job and their resume has inconsistencies or gaps in employment, it may raise red flags for the employer. This could indicate that the person is not being truthful or may have something to hide.
Similarly, if a company is experiencing financial difficulties and suddenly starts making large and unusual transactions, it could raise red flags for investors or regulators. This could indicate that the company is engaging in fraudulent or illegal activities.
Overall, the idiom "raise red flags" is used to describe situations or behaviors that warrant caution or further investigation. It is important to pay attention to these warning signs in order to avoid potential problems or risks.
• The government's decision to cut funding to healthcare raised red flags for the medical community.
• The CEO's refusal to answer questions about the company's financial records raised red flags for the investigative journalists.
• The suspicious behavior of the man in the alley raised red flags for the police officer.
• The inconsistencies in the witness's statement raised red flags for the detective investigating the case.
• The smoke coming out of the kitchen raised red flags for the fire department.
• The company's sudden increase in profits without any explanation raised red flags for the investors.