carry the flag - definition of carry the flag by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

flag¹ (fl

1. A piece of cloth, usually rectangular, of distinctive color and design, used as a symbol, standard, signal, or emblem.

2. National or other allegiance, as symbolized by a flag: ships of the same flag.

3. A ship carrying the flag of an admiral; a flagship.

4. A marking device, such as a gummed strip of paper, attached to an object to attract attention or ease identification; a tab.

5. The masthead of a newspaper.

6. Music A cross stroke that halves the value of a note to which it is added.

7. A distinctively shaped or marked tail, as of a dog or deer.

8. Computer Science A variable or memory location that stores true-or-false, yes-or-no information.

tr.v. flagged, flag·ging, flags

1. To mark with a flag or flags for identification or ornamentation: flag a parade route; flagging parts of a manuscript for later review.

a. To signal with or as if with a flag.

b. To signal to stop: flag down a passing car.

[Origin unknown.]

flagger n.

flag² (fl

A plant, such as an iris or cattail, that has long sword-shaped leaves.

[Middle English flagge, reed, of Scandinavian origin.]

flag³ (fl

intr.v. flagged, flag·ging, flags

1. To hang limply; droop.

2. To decline in vigor or strength: The conversation flagged.

[Possibly of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flögra, to flap about.]

flag ¹

Noun

1. a piece of cloth often attached to a pole, used as an emblem or for signalling

2. a code inserted into a computer file to distinguish certain information

Verb

[flagging, flagged]

1. to mark with a tag or sticker

2. NZ to give up an activity

3. flag down to signal (a vehicle) to stop

4. flag up bring something to someone's attention [origin unknown]

flag ²

Noun

same as iris (sense 2) [origin unknown]

flag ³

Verb

[flagging, flagged]

1. to lose enthusiasm or energy

2. to become limp [origin unknown]

flagging adj

flag ⁴

Noun

short for flagstone

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	flag - emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design American flag, Old Glory, Star-Spangled Banner, Stars and Stripes - the national flag of the United States of America banner, streamer - long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising battle flag - a flag that leads troops into battle black flag, Jolly Roger, pirate flag, blackjack - a flag usually bearing a white skull and crossbones on a black background; indicates a pirate ship colors, colours - a flag that shows its nationality emblem - special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc. fanion - a small flag used by surveyors or soldiers to mark a position jack - small flag indicating a ship's nationality pennon, waft, pennant, streamer - a long flag; often tapering banner, standard - any distinctive flag Confederate flag, Stars and Bars - the first flag of the Confederate States of America tricolor, tricolour - a flag having three colored stripes (especially the French flag) Union flag, Union Jack - national flag of the United Kingdom flag of truce, white flag - flag consisting of a piece of white cloth that is hoisted to signal surrender or to ask for a truce yellow jack - yellow flag hoist on a ship in quarantine national flag, ensign - an emblem flown as a symbol of nationality
	2.	flag - a listing printed in all issues of a newspaper or magazine (usually on the editorial page) that gives the name of the publication and the names of the editorial staff, etc. masthead list, listing - a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
	3.	flag - plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals fleur-de-lis, iris, sword lily iridaceous plant - any bulbous plant of the family Iridaceae genus Iris - large genus of perennials that develop from bulbs or rhizomes bearded iris - any of numerous wild or cultivated irises with hairlike structures on the falls (the drooping sepals) beardless iris - any of numerous wild or cultivated irises having no hairs on the drooping sepals (the falls) bulbous iris - any of various irises having a rootstock formed like a bulb Iris cristata, dwarf iris - low-growing summer-flowering iris of northeastern United States gladdon, gladdon iris, Iris foetidissima, roast beef plant, stinking gladwyn, stinking iris - iris with purple flowers and foul-smelling leaves; southern and western Europe and North Africa Iris persica, Persian iris - bulbous iris native to Asia Minor cultivated for its pale lilac-colored flowers Iris pseudacorus, yellow flag, yellow iris, yellow water flag - common yellow-flowered iris of Europe and North Africa, naturalized in United States and often cultivated dwarf iris, Iris verna, vernal iris - low-growing spring-flowering American iris with bright blue-lilac flowers blue flag, Iris versicolor - a common iris of the eastern United States having blue or blue-violet flowers; root formerly used medicinally Iris virginica, southern blue flag - similar to blue flag; the eastern United States English iris, Iris xiphioides - bulbous iris native to the Pyrenees; widely cultivated for its large delicate flowers in various colors except yellow
	4.	flag - a rectangular piece of fabric used as a signalling device signal flag visual signal - a signal that involves visual communication pennant - a flag longer than it is wide (and often tapering) code flag, nautical signal flag - one of an international code of flag signals used between ships red flag - a flag that serves as a warning signal; "we didn't swim at the beach because the red flag was up"
	5.	flag - flagpole used to mark the position of the hole on a golf green pin golf equipment - sports equipment used in playing golf
	6.	flag - stratified stone that splits into pieces suitable as paving stones flagstone paving stone - a stone used for paving
	7.	flag - a conspicuously marked or shaped tail Canis familiaris, dog, domestic dog - a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds; "the dog barked all night" tail - the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body cervid, deer - distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
Verb	1.	flag - communicate or signal with a flag signal, signalise, signalize, sign - communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs; "He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture"; "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu" flag down - signal to stop; "Let's flag down a cab--it's starting to rain"; "The policeman flagged down our car"
	2.	flag - provide with a flag; "Flag this file so that I can recognize it immediately" mark - make or leave a mark on; "the scouts marked the trail"; "ash marked the believers' foreheads"
	3.	flag - droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness droop, sag, swag drop down, sink, drop - fall or descend to a lower place or level; "He sank to his knees" slouch, slump - assume a drooping posture or carriage bag - hang loosely, like an empty bag
	4.	flag - decorate with flags; "the building was flagged for the holiday" adorn, decorate, grace, ornament, embellish, beautify - make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; "Decorate the room for the party"; "beautify yourself for the special day"
	5.	flag - become less intense ease off, slacken off, ease up decrease, diminish, lessen, fall - decrease in size, extent, or range; "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper"