white flag

noun

1. an all-white banner or piece of cloth, used as a symbol of surrender or truce.

white flag

noun

1. a white flag or a piece of white cloth hoisted to signify surrender or request a truce

Other Word Forms

• white-flag adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of white flag¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hoist / show / wave the white flag, to give up; weaken; yield.

Example Sentences

"Are we expected to fly the Union Flag or Saltire all on our own with no assistance, while the civil servants or politicians are happy to raise the white flag of surrender?" he asked.

From BBC

At a vigil for Kirk in Huntington Beach this week, some attendees waved white flags depicting a red cross and the word “JESUS,” while some chanted, “White men, fight back!”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a way of throwing in the towel, waving the white flag, wishing for the mercy rule used in youth baseball.

From Los Angeles Times

In times past, the moral exhaustion and spiritual superficialness of white moderates and progressives led to waving the white flag of surrender and accepting white unity on toxic terms.

From Salon

She looked back toward the police line and waved the blue and white flag of El Salvador.

From Los Angeles Times