fly the flag

fly the flag

To stand up for, support, or defend someone or something. A number of people from the actor's hometown are coming to New York to fly the flag at his debut performance on Broadway. My country is often a target for insults or gibes abroad, so whenever I go traveling I make a point of flying the flag for it.
See also: flag, fly
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fly the flag

COMMON
1. If you fly the flag for your country or a group to which you belong, you represent it or do something to support it. I would love to fly the flag for Britain and win the Eurovision Song Contest. Note: Verbs such as carry, show or wave are sometimes used instead of fly. The Kuwaiti team said they were only in Peking to show the flag. He believed in the sacred power of great music: he felt that he was carrying the flag of high culture.
2. If you fly the flag for something, you support it and praise it. Wragg was left to fly the flag for state education. Note: Verbs such as carry, show or wave are sometimes used instead of fly. I think it's important that we wave the flag for the arts.
See also: flag, fly
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

fly the flag

1 (of a ship) be registered to a particular country and sail under its flag. 2 represent or demonstrate support for your country, political party, or organization, especially when you are abroad.
In sense 2, the forms show the flag , carry the flag , and wave the flag are also found.
2 1996 Hello! She flew the flag for British tennis in the Eighties.
See also: flag, fly
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

fly/show/wave the ˈflag

show your support for your country, an organization or an idea in order to encourage or persuade others to do the same: This exhibition of Scottish painting is our way of flying the flag. ▶ ˈflag-waving noun the expression of strong national feelings, especially in a way that people disapprove of
See also: flag, fly, show, wave
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • fly/show/wave the flag
  • show the flag
  • wave the flag
  • he, it, etc. promises well
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • pull for
  • pull for (someone or something)
  • root for
  • root for (someone or something)
  • keep the flag flying
References in classic literature
There--if that speech moves you any, let's fly the flag of truce, with the understanding that I am conquered and confess it."
FLY THE FLAG can maintain family honour by registering a first career success on her third start at Chelmsford.
A late-developing type, Fly The Flag only made her racecourse debut last month and has shown promise in two outings.
That is how we found out about the Fly the Flag campaign.
The informative week came about after the CoventryCity of CultureTrust paid a visit to the school and talked about the national Fly the Flag campaign, which is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the declaration.
Sir Michael, a former Children's Laureate, spoke during an event to launch Fly The Flag week at London's Somerset House.
Ireland's star names are resting up this week, so it is a good chance for Gavin Moynihan and Paul Dunne to fly the flag.
Members of the Michael Hillegas Chapter want to thank all community members who properly fly the flag of the United States of America and encourage those who presently do not fly the flag to consider flying it.
LINFIELD boss David Healy wants to fly the flag for Rangers fans against Celtic in the Champions League after the Ibrox outfit's humiliating Europa League exit.
He said: "I'm very happy that everybody wants to fly the flag and it complements our national flag Y Ddraig Goch (Red Dragon), but I'm disappointed that it wasn't Caernarfon castle which was the first place to fly the flag because of some bureaucracy.
But we must truly understand what it means when we fly the Flag of the United States of America.
I can't see any reason why we couldn't fly the flag. It's not harming anybody, and this is a free country," The Dominion Post quoted Kesang, as saying.
The correct way to fly the flag is with the broader white band uppermost next to the mast.
Navy permission to fly the flag for five to seven days each year.
Graeme Whitfield asks why we can't fly the flag without feeling ashamed.