flag

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.

❷1996Hello! She flew the flag for British tennis in the Eighties.

keep the flag flying

1 represent your country or organization, especially when abroad.

2 show continued commitment to something, especially in the face of adversity.

☞ This expression comes from the practice in naval warfare of lowering the flag on a defeated ship to signify a wish to surrender.

put the flags (or flag) out celebrate publicly.

show the flag (of a naval vessel) make an official visit to a foreign port, especially as a show of strength.

wrap (or drape) yourself in the flag make an excessive show of your patriotism, especially for political ends. chiefly North American

2011Daily Telegraph From Gordon Brown wrapping himself gratuitously in the flag in 2006, to David Cameron promising to put the 'Great' back into Great Britain-when politicos start talking about patriotism the public's response runs from groan to cringe.