An Americanism dating back to 1775–85
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But such a direct, blatant attack on the UN's headquarters, with the famous blue flag clearly flying above it, shook the foundations of the UN's own perception of itself.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2023
At the protests, Millaray would rap or stroll among protesters with her hand-painted blue flag bearing the “Wünelfe,” an eight-point star sacred in Mapuche iconography.
From New York Times ● Jan. 27, 2023
Secor entered the Capitol while carrying a blue flag with the white letters “AF” and wearing a hat bearing the same “AF” emblem.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 19, 2022
In each spot where they did, he bent down and planted a little blue flag and said that’s where I’d likely find my bad pipe.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2022
The cookhouse couldn’t be more obvious—never mind the orange and blue flag, the boiler belching in the background, or the stream of people heading for it.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
“The secret is out that fall is the best time to come,” said Brad Guidi, co-founder of Blue Flag Capital, which owns five hotels on the island, including the recently renovated Brass Lantern Inn.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026
A council says one of its beaches has no Blue Flag this year because of an "administrative error", though insists it still has an "exceptional standard of care and quality".
From BBC ● May 18, 2026
The Blue Flag, a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education, certifies the environmental commitment of cruise companies, marinas and beaches.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 28, 2022
The Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate, where the Woolfs stayed, has its own beach that was awarded Blue Flag eco-certification, as well as a spa.
From New York Times ● Feb. 26, 2018
The Blue-eye Grass, which belongs to the same family as the Blue Flag, carpets the moist meadows at this season of the year.
From Woodcraft or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good by Douglas, Alan
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.
