run something up the flagpole

verb

To propose an idea or make a suggestion in order to acquire feedback from others.

“The idea might not be so bad; why don't you run it up the flagpole at the next board meeting?”

Similar
float
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Meanings

verbrun something up the flagpole (third-person singular simple present runs something up the flagpole, present participle running something up the flagpole, simple past ran something up the flagpole, past participle run something up the flagpole)

present singular third person runs something up the flagpole · participle present running something up the flagpole · past ran something up the flagpole

  1. idiomatictransitiveTo propose an idea or make a suggestion in order to acquire feedback from others.

    The idea might not be so bad; why don't you run it up the flagpole at the next board meeting?

    Synonyms: float

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo propose an idea or make a suggestion in order to acquire feedback from others.

Similar
float
Also see
run it up the flagpole, to see who salutes

Origin

Short form of run it up the flagpole, to see who salutes.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

run something up the flagpole. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20something%20up%20the%20flagpole

MLA

“run something up the flagpole.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20something%20up%20the%20flagpole. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “run something up the flagpole,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20something%20up%20the%20flagpole.

Source: run something up the flagpole on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.