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to flag

to flag

14 5.5
To signal someone by waving a piece of cloth
  • verb
  • /flæɡ/
translation icon : hacer señas
  • She waved her hands to flag a passing car for help.
  • flag down a cab
  • flag down a car
  • flag down a taxi

Examples

Synonyms

to raise the flag
vsto flag
1 5.1

To tell people about an idea or problem to see how they react

is a physical signal using a visible cloth or banner, not an open announcement
to wigwag
vsto flag
  • Archaic
9.9

To wave a flag or light to send a message

is more general, signaling by showing or waving a cloth without a code

Antonyms

282 3.7

To hide something so others cannot see or find it

Idioms

4 4.0

To stop trying and accept that you lost

To come together to show strong support for a leader or the country in danger

Show your true self to others, even if it seems strange

Phrasal Verbs

to flag down
  • Informal
14 3.3

Signal for a taxi or driver to stop by waving your hand

To signal that there may be a problem or danger

To show support for a country, group or cause by displaying its flag

To tell people about an idea or problem to see how they react

Compounds

red flag
  • Informal
77 3.6

A sign that shows a problem or danger in a situation

56 1.0

A piece of cloth that stands for the United States with thirteen stripes and fifty stars

19 2.7

A plain white cloth that people raise to show surrender or ask for a truce

7 3.7

A red cloth flown to warn people of danger

4 8.3

A flag used as a symbol of racism and hate

4 5.7

A flag carried at the front of an army to show who they are and guide soldiers

flag of truce
  • Formal
3 4.9

A white flag shown to ask fighters to stop and start talks

A piece of cloth that officially represents a country

3 5.7

A red banner used as a symbol of socialist movements

flag officer
  • Specialized
3 8.5

A senior navy officer above captain who flies a flag to show command

A flag used by Southern states during the American Civil War, often the battle flag design

flag-waving
  • Offensive
2 6.8

Showing too much pride in one's country

1 3.4

A day in the United States that remembers when the national flag was first used on June 14

1 5.7

A public display like a speech or a rally that makes people feel strong love for their country

1 3.7

Sailors who steal from ships fly a black flag with a white skull and crossbones

1 6.5

A flag that is black with a white skull and crossbones used by pirates

signal flag
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A rectangular piece of cloth ships use to send short messages

1 3.1

The national flag of the United Kingdom, also called the Union Jack

1 4.8

A tall plant with yellow iris flowers that grows in wet places

A light brown cloth signal showing a temporary stop or truce

8.1

A wild iris with blue flowers that grows near ponds and wet meadows

code flag
  • Specialized
7.1

A flag used to send messages between ships

flag captain
  • Specialized
8.4

A senior naval officer in charge of a flagship carrying an admiral

flag rank
  • Specialized
8.1

A senior military title that officers like admirals or generals hold

flag signal
  • Specialized
6.3

Sending messages with flags by moving them in set patterns over a distance, often between ships

flag smut fungus
  • Specialized
9.0

A disease of wheat and other grasses that makes dark streaks and black dust

flag smut
  • Specialized
9.9

A disease of wheat and other grasses that makes dark powdery streaks on leaves and stems

8.1

A small train station where trains stop only if someone signals them

flag-waver
  • Offensive
7.9

A person who shows strong support for their country often in aggressive ways

A person honored for great bravery who leads troops and carries a square banner

A marsh plant with long swordlike leaves and fragrant roots

nautical signal flag
  • Specialized
6.7

A flag sailors use to send messages between ships at sea

semaphore flag
  • Specialized
8.6

A flag you wave to send messages to people far away

A marsh plant with long pointed leaves and roots that have a strong smell

8.6

A tall water plant with long leaves and a brown, stick-like flower head

A tall plant like an iris with blue-violet flowers that grows in wet places in the eastern United States

wheat flag smut
  • Specialized
8.6

Plant disease that attacks wheat leaves and stems, causing dark streaks and lower crop yields

A yellow flower that grows in wet places like marshes and pond edges

How Visible

to flag
14 5.5
wave
127 1.0
signal
670 2.1
to indicate
834 2.7

Surface Forms

flag infinitive
flagged past
flagged past participle
flagging present participle
flags third person singular

Etymology

The verb flag meaning to signal with a cloth comes from the same idea: people wave a flag to send a message or warning.