flag of truce: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Historical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “flag of truce” mean?
A white flag used to signal a desire to cease hostilities temporarily, typically for negotiation or surrender.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A white flag used to signal a desire to cease hostilities temporarily, typically for negotiation or surrender.
Any symbol or gesture indicating a temporary pause in conflict or competition for the purpose of communication. Can be used metaphorically in non-military contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties understand and use the term identically.
Connotations
Connotes formal, rules-based warfare; often evokes historical or cinematic imagery.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, used primarily in historical, military, or figurative contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “flag of truce” in a Sentence
[Subject] waves/raises a flag of truce.The negotiations were conducted under a flag of truce.They approached, bearing a flag of truce.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flag of truce” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The garrison flag-of-truced with the besiegers to discuss terms.
American English
- The general considered flag-of-trucing to evacuate the wounded.
adverb
British English
- He approached flag-of-trucely, holding the white cloth high.
American English
- The messenger came flag of truce, under international custom.
adjective
British English
- The flag-of-truce negotiations were tense but brief.
American English
- They established a flag-of-truce corridor for aid delivery.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The CEO saw the competitor's proposal for a joint venture as a flag of truce in their price war.'
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or conflict resolution texts discussing protocols of war.
Everyday
Rare. Possibly in metaphorical sense: 'He brought a cake, a flag of truce after our argument.'
Technical
Strictly defined in international law of war (Hague Conventions) regarding perfidy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flag of truce”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flag of truce”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flag of truce”
- Using 'flag of truce' to mean permanent peace or surrender (it's temporary). Confusing it with a 'white flag' which can *symbolize* surrender more broadly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, by longstanding convention, a flag of truce is universally a white flag. The whiteness symbolizes the absence of hostile intent.
Yes, it is commonly used as a metaphor in business, politics, and personal relationships to indicate a desire for a temporary ceasefire or open communication.
A 'flag of truce' is a white flag used specifically for the purpose of parley or negotiation. A 'white flag' is a broader symbol that can indicate surrender, truce, or simply a desire to communicate.
Yes, in the law of armed conflict, attacking a person who is displaying a flag of truce and has a genuine intent to negotiate is considered a war crime (perfidy if the flag is abused).
A white flag used to signal a desire to cease hostilities temporarily, typically for negotiation or surrender.
Flag of truce is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Flag of truce: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflæɡ əv ˈtruːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflæɡ əv ˈtrus/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wave the white flag (related, but denotes surrender, not just parley)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FLAG (a signal) + TRUCE (a temporary peace). A 'flag of truce' is a signal for a temporary peace.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A FLAG; A PAUSE IN CONFLICT IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT.
Practice
Quiz
In modern metaphorical use, 'a flag of truce' most likely signifies: