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

See Examples For:

at half-mast

European Union flags are flying at half-mast in Brussels, in what the European Commission called a "sign of European solidarity" during Spain's mourning period.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

Flags flew at half-mast, with candlelight vigils planned later in the day, following traditional Hindu mourning rituals on the 13th day after death.

From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026

Flags will be flown at half-mast, while his portrait will be displayed, candles lit and moments of silence held at professional events.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

Flags are flying at half-mast to honor singer Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at the age of 80.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

During the day flags were flown at half-mast.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

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