white flag
Americannoun
idioms
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of white flag
First recorded in 1590–1600
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In short, they are waving the white flag on the idea of predicting when the war will end and the oil will flow.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026
It’s the perfect accompaniment to the sight of Harper and Yasmin, dancing together at a club, relieved to have waved the white flag, at least for tonight.
From Salon • Mar. 1, 2026
Guardiola appeared to waive the white flag as he replaced Erling Haaland 10 minutes from time to reserve the Norwegian's energy with City still fighting in four competitions.
From Barron's • Jan. 17, 2026
“We do not like the risk reward that these situations offer, and therefore we put up the white flag and said, ‘we can’t compete in this segment right now,’” Jain said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025
Officials on the bridge dropped a white flag to signify a win for the white blades of Washington.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
