false flag

American  

[fawls flag] / ˈfɔls ˈflæg /

noun

1. an attack or other hostile action that obscures the identity of the participants carrying out the action while implicating another group or nation as the perpetrator (often used attributively): The false flag terrorist attack lured the military into a hasty response.

   Evidence suggests that the covert operation was a false flag.

   The false flag terrorist attack lured the military into a hasty response.

2. a misrepresentation of affiliation or motivation or a false equivalence deliberately put forth to manipulate the context, perception, or frame of an action, object, or argument (often used attributively).

   Public schools are losing tax dollars to private schools under the false flag of school vouchers expanding parental choice.

3. a flag flown to disguise the nationality or affiliation of a vessel, vehicle, or base of operations.

   Surviving sailors reported that the privateer was flying a false flag on approach and attacked as soon as cannons were in range.

---

Usage

What is a false flag? A false flag is intentional misrepresentation, especially a covert political or military operation carried out to appear as if it was undertaken by another party.

Etymology

Origin of false flag

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

On Thursday, the French navy intercepted a suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker - named the Grinch - which President Emmanuel Macron said was "subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag".

From BBC

When its forces seized the tanker in the Atlantic on January 7, the White House said the vessel was "deemed stateless after flying a false flag".

From Barron's

On Thursday, the French navy intercepted the tanker - named the Grinch - which President Emmanuel Macron said was "subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag".

From BBC

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday announced that the French Navy, with the support of allies, had intercepted a vessel "subject to international sanctions" and suspected of flying a false flag.

From Barron's

"This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag," he said on X in English, adding the operation had been carried out "with the support of several of our allies".

From Barron's