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to flag

to flag

20 3.7
To mark something so others will notice it
  • verb
  • /flæɡ/
translation icon : marcar
  • The answer to this question can be used to flag learners who may be having trouble.
  • flag potential problems

And they would say things like DHS flags this or the FBI flags that.

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Examples

  • During the data-processing stage, the bureau's computers flag forms that contain exact or near matches for names and addresses.

    Academic text (2010)
  • And right there is the second major point I want to flag:

    Academic text (2018)
  • Now I do want to flag it very quickly.

  • Good of you to flag that.

  • You flag all my comments.

  • If I miss any, you can flag 'em too or tell me if you want...

    Blog text (13)
  • I come, then, to the first important point I want to flag.

    Academic text (2018)
  • You flag it and you send it over to Dita and we'll check it out.

  • Individuals are encouraged to flag projects they find objectionable, and inappropriate activity is not tolerated.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The manager asked me to flag any important issues during the meeting.

Synonyms

to point out
vsto flag
1.8

To tell someone about something important or show it to them

marks it for special attention or later specific action instead
to feature
vsto flag
748 3.1

To include something and make it seem important

marks it to be noticed or acted on rather than merely included
to highlight
vsto flag
340 3.3

To emphasize something so it stands out as important

marks items for attention or for specific action
to signalize
vsto flag
  • US
8.3

Make something seem important or worthy of attention

marks it for attention or action in ordinary contexts
to spotlit
vsto flag
5.1

Give public attention to a person or issue, often in the news

marks it for attention or specific action rather than public fame

Antonyms

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

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 Important

to prioritize
  • US
77 4.1
to flag
20 3.7
to highlight
340 3.3
to mark
192 1.0
to note
158 1.3

Surface Forms

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

Etymology

The verb flag meaning to mark something comes from putting a small flag or tag on a paper to show it needs attention, so to flag an email is to mark it for action later.