at half-mast

Idioms  

1. Halfway up or down, as in The church bells tolled off and on all day and the flags were at half-mast. This term refers to placing a flag halfway up a ship's mast or flagpole, a practice used as a mark of respect for a person who has died or, at sea, as a distress signal. Occasionally the term is transferred to other objects, as in Tom's pants were at half-mast as he raced around the playground, or The puppy's tail was at half-mast. [First half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

"Since the high-speed line was built, 30-something years ago, we never had any problems, it worked perfectly and was fantastic," says Alberto Montavez Montes, a shop-owner opposite Córdoba city hall, where the Spanish and Andalusian flags have been hanging at half-mast.

From BBC

Flags were flown at half-mast and thousands of security officers have been deployed.

From BBC

Flags will fly at half-mast and Australians are being asked to light a candle in their windows to honour the victims.

From BBC

A moment of silence was held before the game with security tightened at a packed Adelaide Oval where flags were flying at half-mast.

From Barron's

Then I see the silver lining and give Jonesy a smile with my eyelids at half-mast.

From Literature