yellow flags
Signs of trouble
Yellow flags are warning signs that fall between green (all clear) and red (stop immediately).
In relationships or hiring, yellow flags suggest caution without demanding you walk away: His reluctance to discuss past relationships was a yellow flag, not a dealbreaker.
The term borrows from the graduated warning system of colored flags used at beaches and racetracks.
Notice signaling potential danger
- indicatorSign revealing status
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- heads-upInformal advance warning
forewarning · omen · harbinger · portent · precursor · concern · suspicion · doubt
Paid swimming supervisor
- rip currentOutbound coastal water channel
- surf conditionsState of rideable swells
- coastal patrolWaterway security along shores
- shore breakWaves breaking near land
Cultivated pond ecosystem
- rhizomeHorizontal underground plant stem
- invasive speciesHarmful non-native organism
- watersideLand beside a lake
- bog gardenCultivated marshy plot
Sports rule enforcer
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- infractionMinor rule breach
- unsportsmanlike conductRule-breaking competitive behavior
- delay of gamePenalty for slow play
offside · gridiron · football · ruling · sideline · violation
caution sign
Notice signaling potential danger
heads-up · forewarning · omen · harbinger · portent · precursor · concern · suspicion · doubt · hesitation
lifeguard
Paid swimming supervisor
- rip currentOutbound coastal water channel
- surf conditionsState of rideable swells
- coastal patrolWaterway security along shores
shore break · undertow · beach patrol · water safety · wading area
aquatic garden
Cultivated pond ecosystem
- rhizomeHorizontal underground plant stem
- invasive speciesHarmful non-native organism
- watersideLand beside a lake
referee
Sports rule enforcer
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- infractionMinor rule breach
- unsportsmanlike conductRule-breaking competitive behavior
delay of game · offside · gridiron · football · ruling · sideline · violation
yellow flagsred flags
Indicators something's wrong
green flags · deal breakers · all clear · danger signs · non-issues
yellow flagsgreen flags
Positive warning signs
vote of confidence · stamps of approval · seal of approval · thumbs up · clean bill of health
yellow flagsgreen flags
Positive warning signs
green light · all clear · checkered flag · white flag · blue flag
yellow, flag, yellows, yellowed, yellowing, yellowish, flags, flagged, flagging