wave the white flag
The phrase "wave the white flag" originates from the historical practice of using a white flag to signal surrender or truce, particularly in military contexts.
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Definition
B2General
(figurative)To admit defeat or give up on a task, argument, or conflict.
Example
- After hours of debating, he finally waved the white flag and agreed to the terms.
- Facing overwhelming odds, the team decided to wave the white flag and forfeit the match.
B2Military
(historical)To indicate surrender to an opposing force.
Example
- The soldiers waved the white flag to signal their surrender.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "wave the white flag":
white flagstrike one's flagwave offwave goodbyethrow up one's handscall it quitsput one's hands uptap outgive upshow the flagfly the flaggive it upflag gunstand downyellow flaggive ingive up the ghostgive groundabandon ship