flag

1
[ flag ]
/ flæg /

noun

verb (used with object), flagged, flag·ging.

Idioms for flag

    strike the flag,
    1. to relinquish command, as of a ship.
    2. to submit or surrender: His financial situation is growing worse, but he's not ready to strike the flag.
    Also strike one's flag.

Origin of flag

1
1475–85; perhaps blend of flap (noun) and fag1 (noun) in obsolete sense “flap”

OTHER WORDS FROM flag

flag·ger, noun flag·less, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for flag down (1 of 4)

flag 1
/ (flæɡ) /

noun

verb flags, flagging or flagged (tr)

See also flag out, flags, flag up

Derived forms of flag

flagger, noun flagless, adjective

Word Origin for flag

C16: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for flag down (2 of 4)

flag 2
/ (flæɡ) /

verb flags, flagging or flagged (intr)

to hang down; become limp; droop
to decline in strength or vigour; become weak or tired

Word Origin for flag

C16: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for flag down (3 of 4)

flag 3
/ (flæɡ) /

noun

any of various plants that have long swordlike leaves, esp the iris Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag)
the leaf of any such plant
See also sweet flag

Word Origin for flag

C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Dutch flag, Danish flæg yellow iris

British Dictionary definitions for flag down (4 of 4)

flag 4
/ (flæɡ) /

noun

short for flagstone

verb flags, flagging or flagged

(tr) to furnish (a floor) with flagstones

Idioms and Phrases with flag down

flag down

Signal to stop, as in The police were flagging down all cars. This expression uses the verb flag in the sense of “catch the attention of, as by waving a flag,” a usage dating from the mid-1800s; down was added in the first half of the 1900s.