show the flag

present singular third person shows the flag · participle present showing the flag · past showed the flag · participle past shown the flag · US also participle past showed the flag

1. literallyTo display the flag of one's country, especially as an expression of patriotic pride.
2. idiomaticOf a naval vessel or military force, to identify itself by displaying the flag of its country of origin, especially in order to establish an authoritative presence and to exert diplomatic or political influence.

   A few suggestions are given . . . maintaining an effective naval squadron to show the flag and protect American interests.

   1896, John Barrett, “America's Interest in Eastern Asia”, in North American Review, volume 162, number 472, pages 263–264

   2 more examples

   On a routine cruise to "show the flag," the British warships Amphion and Contest steamed into the harbor of Santa Ana Island in the southern Solomons (which are under a British protectorate).

   1947 September 29, “Martin Lo”, in Time

   Cruisers perform routine independent "show the flag" patrols in settled systems and lead flotillas of frigates in small engagements, such as pirate suppression campaigns.

   2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Starships: Cruisers Codex entry

3. broadlyidiomaticTo represent one's country or some other group in a manner intended to suggest the authority or importance of that country or group.

   Henry Kissinger stopped off in Kabul to show the flag for a few hours in 1974.

   1980 January 28, “‘Who Lost Afghanistan?’”, in Time

   1 more example

   The Bush–Cheney re-election campaign will send a high-profile team of surrogates to both Iowa and New Hampshire in the coming days to train and motivate Republican activists and to "show the flag" in states in which the Democratic presidential race has dominated political debate.

   2004 January 19, “Bush operatives moving to primary states”, in CNN, retrieved 04 Jan 2009