back to the flags

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back to the flags" is not a standard expression in written English and may require additional context to be understood.
It could be used in a context where one is referring to returning to a previous topic or situation that involves flags, such as in a discussion about maritime signals or sports events. Example: "After discussing the weather, let's go back to the flags and review the signal codes used in sailing."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Go back to the flags.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Undeterred, the man turned back to the flag and attempted to light it again as it remained draped over a wooden fence.

Independent

Ryan Newman held his position when asked if his victory softened his dislike for Nascar's ban on racing back to the flag stand under caution.

The New York Times - Sports

Satellite trucks sprouted around the square, and television reporters lined up, jockeying for position with their backs to the flag.

The Guardian

SLAP SHOTS Flames goaltender JAMIE McLENNAN, a Canadian who once played for the Islanders, faced the Canadian flag and had his back to the American flag during "The Star-Spangled Banner".

The New York Times - Sports

As some may know, I tried very hard as governor in 1993 to go back to the state flag that flew over Georgia during my childhood -- before militant segregationists replaced our flag with a more Confederate image in the 1950's, in defiance of the civil rights movement and federal demands for desegregation.

The New York Times

The former were meant to march loyally back to the red flag in disgust at Nick Clegg's partnership with the Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nationalists talked up her potential as a new Queen of Scots during the referendum campaign, a recognition that the prospect of losing her would drive some back to the union flag.

The Guardian - Opinion

AUTO RACING Nascar Changes Caution Rule Nascar has barred drivers from racing back to the yellow flag under caution, changing a rule strongly criticized by drivers and team owners.

The New York Times - Sports

But a few weeks ago, people at Manhattanville College's women's basketball games began to recognize that the senior guard Toni Smith would quietly turn her back to the American flag during the pregame playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," a silent protest, they learned, of America's potential involvement in an Iraqi war.

The New York Times - Sports

We now come back to the issue flagged in Section 4.2, on the irreducibility of rejection to negation.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "back to the flags", ensure the context clearly establishes what 'the flags' refer to. Without explicit context, the phrase can be ambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "back to the flags" without first establishing a clear understanding of what specific flags or flag-related matters are being referenced. Readers may lack the necessary background knowledge, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back to the flags" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating a return or shift in focus to a specific topic or set of symbols. As the Ludwig AI explains, the meaning is context-dependent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “back to the flags” is a prepositional phrase used to signal a return or shift in focus to flag-related matters. As Ludwig AI mentions, the phrase's specific meaning is highly dependent on context. Although grammatically sound, its limited occurrence suggests that it is used in specific contexts. While it appears in diverse sources, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science, as per Ludwig, ensuring clarity is paramount when employing this phrase to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives such as "returning to the flags" or "revisiting the topic of flags" may offer greater precision in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returning to the flags

Replaces "back to" with "returning to", emphasizing the action of going back.

revisiting the topic of flags

Substitutes the phrase with a more explicit reference to the subject matter.

referring back to the flags

Highlights the act of making a reference, suggesting a point of comparison.

shifting focus back to the flags

Emphasizes a change of attention towards flag-related issues.

getting back to flag matters

Uses a more informal tone to indicate a return to flag-related concerns.

coming back to the issue of flags

Rephrases with a focus on the issue, implying a problem or discussion.

turning our attention back to the flags

A formal way of indicating a renewed focus on the flags.

returning to the subject of flags

Replaces the more colloquial tone of the QUERY with an emphasis on the subject.

picking up where we left off with flags

Implies a continuation of a previous discussion about flags.

reverting to the flag discussion

Indicates a return to a previous discussion specifically about flags.

FAQs

How can I use "back to the flags" in a sentence?

To use "back to the flags" effectively, ensure the context makes clear what the flags represent, such as "After discussing the budget, let's go back to the flags and review the signal codes used in sailing".

What does "back to the flags" actually mean?

The meaning of "back to the flags" depends on the context, it generally suggests a return to a previous subject or situation involving flags, whether literal flags or symbolic representations.

What are some alternatives to using "back to the flags"?

Consider using alternatives like "returning to the flags", "revisiting the topic of flags", or "referring back to the flags" for greater clarity.

Is it appropriate to use "back to the flags" in formal writing?

Due to its somewhat informal and context-dependent nature, "back to the flags" may be more suitable for conversational or less formal writing. More explicit and precise language may be preferred in formal contexts.