Dictionary

wave the white flag en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (in military combat) To indicate to an opposing force that one is surrendering.
   • Then it was seen how perilous was the situation of the Boer snipers. . . . There was no escape for them save across the open. It says much for their courage that they took that perilous choice rather than wave the white flag, which would have ensured their safety. 1900, Arthur Conan Doyle, chapter 30, in The Great Boer War:
2. (figuratively) To yield, give up, or quit.
   • I started in with a fine left-hander on his right eye. Liverpool had been a fighter once, but dissipation and bad company had taken the nerve out of him. In ten minutes I had him lying on the sand waving the white flag. 1911, O Henry, “The Day We Celebrate”, in Sixes and Sevens:
   • Last week the Herald waved the white flag, editorialized: "In view of the Professor's unfortunate exposé of Boston newspaper punditing, we have little alternative but to follow his advice." 1951 May 21, “The Press: Fog Cutter”, in Time, retrieved 25 Apr 2014:
   • The Louisiana governor accused the president of “waving the white flag” on the American economy. 2014 Feb. 24, "Bobby Jindal After Meeting With Obama" (video), New York Times (retrieved 25 April 2014)

Forms

Relateds

strike one's flag

Synonyms

capitulate ((military) indicate that one is surrendering) · capitulate ((figurative) yield, give up, or quit)

Translations (8)

fi heiluttaa valkoista lippua (to yield, give up, or quit) · fi antautua (to yield, give up, or quit) · ru капитули́ровать (indicate to an opposing force that one is surrendering) · cmn 舉白旗 /举白旗 (indicate to an opposing force that one is surrendering) · ru отступа́ть (to yield, give up, or quit) · fi heiluttaa valkoista lippua (indicate to an opposing force that one is surrendering) · ru сдава́ться (to yield, give up, or quit) · fi antautua (indicate to an opposing force that one is surrendering)