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.

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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

When the U.S. began pursuing the Bella 1, the White House said it was a sanctioned vessel under a judicial seizure order and that it was flying a false flag.

From The Wall Street Journal

Like other shadow-fleet ships, the Bella 1 alo sailed under a false flag, saying it was registered in Guyana when it isn’t, U.S. officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal

If ships are “stateless,” or flying a false flag of a nation, then they can be subject to U.S. jurisdiction, Baumgartner and other legal experts say.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The United States Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order," a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in a statement to AFP.

From Barron's

The ship was flying a false flag to disguise the country where it is registered and is subject to a judicial seizure order, the official said.

From The Wall Street Journal