wave the white flag

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave the white flag" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to give up or surrender in a conflict or argument. The phrase is typically used in a figurative sense and originated from the practice of waving a white flag as a sign of surrender in battle. Example: After hours of negotiations, the two countries finally agreed to wave the white flag and sign a peace treaty to end their long-standing dispute.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They're about to wave the white flag of surrender on Obamacare.

The Guardian

Then his mind raced: Will the front office wave the white flag?

The Washington Post

But seeing what he has seen, he cannot wave the white flag.

The New York Times

The fossil-fuel industry is not going to wave the white flag voluntarily.

The Guardian

"You've got Republicans in Washington about to wave the white flag of surrender on amnesty," said Jindal.

The Guardian

Start with the evidence that the peace camp is refusing to wave the white flag, in Britain and beyond.

The Guardian

I had a daily urge to wave the white flag, especially after 10 smelly days without a bath.

The Guardian - Travel

"You cannot wave the white flag and let the environmentalists and regulators declare victory here in the heart of coal country".

The New York Times

One well-placed source said Unilever had gone "on the offensive", catching Kraft Heinz unawares and forcing the company to "wave the white flag".

The Guardian - Business

Here are Alabama's two toughest remaining matchups this regular season, and reasons why the opposition shouldn't wave the white flag just yet.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Surprised that Harley-Davidson, of all companies, would be the first to wave the White Flag.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wave the white flag" to convey a sense of finality or resignation in a situation, especially when describing the end of a struggle or conflict. It adds a vivid image to the writing and emphasizes the act of surrendering.

Common error

Avoid using "wave the white flag" in literal contexts where a physical flag is involved, unless the intention is to create a deliberate misunderstanding. The phrase is almost always used figuratively to describe surrendering a position or argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave the white flag" primarily functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It acts as a vivid way to express surrender, cessation of resistance, or acknowledgment of defeat in both literal and figurative contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wave the white flag" is a very common idiom used to express surrender or giving up. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression follows standard grammar rules and is widely used in the English language. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in formal and business communication, and even reference materials. To avoid potential misuse, remember that its best used figuratively. Consider related phrases such as "surrender" or "give up" for similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise the white flag

This is a more literal alternative, emphasizing the physical action of surrendering.

surrender

This is a direct synonym indicating the act of giving up or ceasing resistance.

give up

This phrase is a common and straightforward way to express abandoning an effort or admitting defeat.

admit defeat

This emphasizes the acknowledgment of losing or failing in a particular situation.

throw in the towel

This idiom suggests conceding defeat, particularly in a competition or difficult situation.

capitulate

This formal term implies surrendering under specific terms or conditions.

yield

This suggests giving way or submitting to another's will or force.

relent

This implies softening or abandoning a harsh stance or position.

cry uncle

This informal idiom means to give up or admit defeat, often to stop something unpleasant.

cede

This implies formally surrendering possession or control of something.

FAQs

What does it mean to "wave the white flag"?

To "wave the white flag" means to surrender or give up, often in a figurative sense to indicate the end of a conflict, struggle, or dispute.

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

You can use "wave the white flag" to describe someone giving up on a goal, admitting defeat in an argument, or surrendering in a competition. For example: "After numerous setbacks, the company decided to "wave the white flag" and discontinue the project."

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

Alternatives to "wave the white flag" include "surrender", "give up", "admit defeat", or "throw in the towel" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "wave the white flag" in formal writing?

While "wave the white flag" is more informal, it can be acceptable in formal writing if the goal is to add emphasis or create a vivid image. However, in some cases, more formal alternatives like "capitulate" or "cede" might be more suitable.