flag
A2/B1Formal, Informal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A piece of cloth with a distinctive design, used as a symbol, signal, or decoration, especially of a nation, institution, or movement.
To draw attention to something as important, interesting, or problematic; to decline in energy or enthusiasm; in computing, a variable or marker indicating a condition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Core noun meaning (piece of cloth) is concrete and frequent at lower levels. Verb uses ('to flag something') are more abstract and common in B2+ contexts. 'To flag' (to decline) is idiomatic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In computing contexts, 'flag' is universal. In gardening, 'flag' as a type of iris is more common in UK plant names. Verb usage for 'to tire' is slightly more informal in US English.
Connotations
No significant difference in primary connotations of national pride or signalling.
Frequency
Frequency of use is very similar; the verb meaning 'to mark for attention' is highly frequent in both varieties in professional contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Noun: the flag of [Country]Verb (transitive): flag [something] for [review/attention]Verb (intransitive): his energy began to flagVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “show the flag”
- “a red flag”
- “flag down”
- “fly the flag”
- “keep the flag flying”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To flag an issue in a report; to flag a customer account for fraud review.
Academic
To flag a methodological limitation in research; to analyse the role of national flags in identity formation.
Everyday
Waving a flag at a sports event; feeling your concentration flag in the afternoon.
Technical
Setting a boolean flag in a software program; a status flag in a network protocol.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The system will flag any suspicious transactions for the manager.
- I'm beginning to flag; let's have a cuppa.
American English
- Please flag this email for follow-up.
- His enthusiasm flagged after the third rejection.
adjective
British English
- The flag officer inspected the fleet.
- They entered during the flag ceremony.
American English
- A flag football game is less physical.
- The flag state is responsible for ship regulation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The British flag is red, white and blue.
- We waved a flag at the parade.
- The referee raised a yellow flag for the foul.
- He tried to flag down a bus.
- The reviewer flagged several errors in the manuscript.
- My concentration tends to flag after lunch.
- The diplomat's remarks were seen as flagging a shift in policy.
- The study flags up a correlation between the two variables.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FLAG on a pole. If it starts to droop, it FLAGs – it loses energy and sags down.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION IS A FLAG (to flag something = to raise attention to it); ENERGY/VIGOUR IS A FLYING FLAG (to flag = to droop/lose energy).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse 'flag' (флаг) with 'flask' (фляжка).
- The verb 'to flag' (ослабевать, отмечать) is a false friend for the noun 'flag'.
- Avoid using 'flag' for a 'flower' (цветок) – 'flag' can be a type of iris plant, but this is rare.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: He flagged me *to stop* the taxi. (Correct: He flagged down the taxi / flagged the taxi.)
- Incorrect: The team's spirit flagged *down*. (Correct: The team's spirit flagged.)
Practice
Quiz
What does it mean if someone's 'energy is flagging'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the national flag is the most common association, 'flag' can refer to any symbolic banner (e.g., a pirate flag, a checkered flag in racing) and has important verb meanings (to mark, to decline).
'Flag up' (mainly UK) means to highlight or draw attention to something (e.g., flag up a concern). 'Flag down' means to signal for a vehicle to stop by waving your arm (e.g., flag down a taxi).
Yes. While 'flagging' as declining is negative, and 'flagging' an issue is neutral/problem-oriented, 'flying the flag' or 'showing the flag' can be positive expressions of representation and pride.
Yes. The verb forms are regular: flag, flagged, flagged (e.g., I flagged it, he has flagged it).