wave the flag

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave the flag" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
It means to display or show support for something, often in a public or visual way. Example: During the parade, the crowd enthusiastically waved the flag of their country, proudly showing their patriotism.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I didn't want to just wave the flag".

The New Yorker

Both main candidates wave the flag of reform.

The New York Times

How much more personable can you get than to wave the flag for tribe or team?

The New York Times

The women wave the flag of gender equality, the banner of wholesomeness.

The New York Times - Sports

It is worth noting that the befuddled Democratic majority was nothing to wave the flag about.

The New York Times

So does he suddenly have Republicans gearing up to wave the flag of war?

The Washington Post

But we find it appropriate to wave the flag where I happen to be" advising clients.

The Washington Post

The Out lobby can wave the flag, play the national anthem, relive our past and pander to nationalist sentiment.

Independent

The great Brazilian champion had planned to wave the flag as he passed the finishing line in victory.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Big, strong, wave-the-flag-beer-drinking guys with classic American muscle cars; gay men with VW Beetles ( "Not that there's anything wrong with that," to quote Jerry Seinfeld).

The New York Times

Ms. Gosselin, the News 12 spokeswoman, said that Cablevision employees quickly logged about 500 phone calls and an equal number of e-mails from viewers, most of them of the wave-the-flag variety.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wave the flag" when you want to convey a strong sense of support or promotion, especially when there's an element of public display or symbolic action involved. It's particularly effective when discussing patriotism, ideologies, or causes.

Common error

Avoid using "wave the flag" literally when you mean simply to show support. The phrase carries a connotation of enthusiastic, often public, endorsement. If the context lacks this overt display, a more direct phrase like "support" or "advocate for" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave the flag" functions as an idiomatic expression, often used as a verb phrase to describe the act of publicly and enthusiastically supporting or promoting something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wave the flag" is a very common and grammatically correct idiomatic expression that means to publicly and enthusiastically show support for something. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, it carries a neutral register suitable for conveying strong endorsement or advocacy. When writing, be mindful of its idiomatic meaning and avoid literal interpretations. Consider alternatives like "show support for" or "champion the cause of" for nuanced contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show support for

Focuses on demonstrating backing or allegiance, omitting the specific action of waving a flag.

express allegiance to

Highlights the declaration of loyalty or commitment, rather than active endorsement.

demonstrate patriotism

Specifically refers to showing love and devotion to one's country.

rally behind

Emphasizes gathering support and uniting for a cause or person.

champion the cause of

Highlights the active promotion and defense of a particular belief or movement.

promote the interests of

Focuses on advancing the well-being and goals of a specific group or entity.

espouse the principles of

Emphasizes publicly embracing and advocating for certain ideals or doctrines.

beat the drum for

Emphasizes enthusiastic and persistent promotion of something.

take up the cudgels for

Highlights defending someone or something under attack.

carry the torch for

Focuses on continuing a tradition or movement.

FAQs

What does it mean to "wave the flag" for something?

To "wave the flag" means to publicly and enthusiastically show your support or promote something, such as an idea, a cause, or a country. It often implies a sense of patriotism or strong belief.

How can I use "wave the flag" in a sentence?

You can use "wave the flag" in a sentence like this: "The organization aims to wave the flag for environmental conservation efforts in the region."

What are some alternatives to saying "wave the flag"?

You can use alternatives like "show support for", "champion the cause of", or "promote the interests of" depending on the specific context.

Is "waving the flag" the same as "demonstrate patriotism"?

While "waving the flag" can certainly be an act of "demonstrating patriotism", it can also refer to showing support for other things besides one's country, such as a sports team or a social movement. "Demonstrate patriotism" is specifically related to one's nation.