wave the flag

wave the flag

To stand up for, support, or defend someone or something. A number of people from the actor's hometown are arriving into New York to wave 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 waving the flag for it.
See also: flag, wave
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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:
  • show the flag
  • fly the flag
  • fly/show/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)
  • favourite son
References in periodicals archive
'That is how he should wave the flag, from the Pacific Ocean to the West Philippine Sea,' said Batongbacal, who made the remarks on his Facebook page on Thursday.
He claimed further that on camera the organiser appreciated him and stated that he had the right to wave the flag but once the camera was off, the organiser advised him to fold and stow the flag.
ENGLAND supporters wave the flag at international football matches but how much do they know about the country of their birth?
"We wave the flag and you can even call us flaggers.
Mr Shapps said: "Ahead of the World Cup, communities will want to wave the flag of St George with pride.
Mr Meredith asks why I don't wave the flag for the best product Britain has produced.
Those who wave the flag and call for a return to Old England, its values and culture, are classed as Nazi racists.
I LIVE in Tuebrook, five minutes' walk from an oasis of free speech; a local shopkeeper (Phil Moffat, pictured) has gained a name for himself demanding the right to wave the flag of St George or, rather, numerous flags of St George.
"They may patriotically wave the flag or burn it in protest; they may reverently worship the cross or burn it as an expression of bigotry."
"I don't want to wave the flag of victory prematurely," he says, "but the debate on both sides is getting both more concrete and sophisticated.
And that a Government that is happy to wave the flag when it wants gullible young men to fight wars, or happy to pose for the flag waving crowds, is also quite happy to sit back and let our remaining manufacturing industry flee to cheap labour countries.
The new management has revived the company's flagging fortunes so why shouldn't we wave the flag?
Let's see if this letter will make people aware the next time they wave the flag at a patriotic event.
The demonstrators wave the flags of the UAE and Saudi Arabia and hold up placards showing pictures of the countries' leaders
After two hours of activities everyone came together to sing the National Anthem and wave the flags they had made.