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flag

[flæɡ]

flag Definition

  • 1a piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution or as a decoration during public festivities.
  • 2a small piece of cloth attached to a staff and used as a marker in various sports.
  • 3a symbol or emblem representing a particular state, organization, or nationality.

Using flag: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "flag" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The American flag has fifty stars and thirteen stripes.

  • Example

    The referee raised the flag to signal an offside.

  • Example

    The United Nations flag features a world map surrounded by olive branches.

flag Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using flag

  • flag-waving

    excessive or ostentatious display of patriotism

    Example

    His speech was full of flag-waving and nationalistic rhetoric.

  • a warning signal or sign that something is wrong or dangerous

    Example

    Her constant lateness was a red flag for her boss.

  • a symbol of surrender or defeat

    Example

    After hours of negotiations, they finally raised the white flag and agreed to the terms.

Phrases with flag

  • raise/lower the flag

    to hoist or lower the flag on a flagpole, often as a sign of respect or mourning

    Example

    They raised the flag at dawn and lowered it at dusk.

  • the use of a foreign flag on a ship in order to register it in a country with less strict regulations or taxes

    Example

    Many shipping companies use flags of convenience to reduce costs.

  • to signal to a vehicle to stop by waving one's arm or a flag

    Example

    He flagged down a taxi and got in.

Origins of flag

from Old Norse 'flaga', meaning 'stone slab'

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Summary: flag in Brief

A 'flag' [flæɡ] is a piece of cloth or similar material used as a symbol or emblem of a country, organization, or nationality. It can also be used as a marker in sports. Phrases like 'raise/lower the flag' and 'flag down' are common. Idioms like 'red flag' and 'white flag' denote warning signals and surrender, respectively.

How do native speakers use this expression?

I've

seen

your

flag

on

the

marble

arch