The idiom “white flag, hang out/show the” means to surrender, give up, or yield. This expression comes from military traditions where displaying a white flag signified surrender. By the early 1600s, this practice was already well-documented. For instance, Philemon Holland’s 1600 translation of Roman historian Livy mentions “A ship garnished with white flags of peace.”
Related and Similar Expressions:
- Throw in the towel: Derived from boxing, this phrase means to admit defeat.
- Raise the white flag: Another variation indicating surrender.
- Wave the red flag: Unlike the white flag, this suggests a warning or danger.
Synonyms:
- Concede
- Capitulate
- Relent
- Retire
Antonyms:
- Resist
- Persist
- Endure
- Strive
Humor-filled Quote:
“Surrender? I wave the white flag only when I’m out of snacks!” – Guzmo Givup, the chronic napper.
Proverbs:
- “He who fights and runs away may live to fight another day.” - This suggests that surrendering or retreating can sometimes be strategic.
Literature, Songs, and Movies:
- Book Recommendation: “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy. Delve into the complexities of surrender and resistance during Napoleonic wars.
- Song: “The White Flag” by Dido. An emotional ode to love and surrender.
- Movie: “Braveheart”. The movie explores themes of resistance and surrender in the fight for freedom.
### Which of these means to surrender?
- [x] Hang out the white flag
- [ ] Climbing the purple beam
- [ ] Whispering to the stars
- [ ] Riding the yellow ostrich
> **Explanation:** "Hang out the white flag" is a conventional idiom for surrendering. None of the others have similar meanings.
### True or False: The expression 'throw in the towel' is similar in meaning to 'wave the white flag.'
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** 'Throw in the towel' is a phrase from boxing that means to give up or concede defeat, similar to 'wave the white flag.'
### Pick the genuine idiom:
- [ ] Showing the orange ribbon
- [x] Waving the white flag
- [ ] Raising the purple curtain
- [ ] Singing the green anthem
> **Explanation:** 'Waving the white flag' is the authentic idiom indicating surrender.
Farewell for now, intrepid idiom adventurers! Remember: Sometimes surrendering doesn’t mean giving up; it simply means you’re choosing to live to fight another day.
