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

Officials observed a three minutes' silence to mark the start of the period, while the flags of China and Hong Kong were flown at half-mast.

From BBC

"He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me," the president added, ordering that all flags be flown at half-mast across the country.

From BBC

The country's flags are flying at half-mast.

From BBC

The chief of staff has directed the country's flags to fly at half-mast.

From BBC

Bangladesh's health ministry said victims have been admitted across seven hospitals in the Dhaka; while the interim government has announced a day of mourning on Tuesday across the country, when the national flag will be flown at half-mast.

From BBC