rally round the flag

Verb

rally round the flag (third-person singular simple present rallies round the flag, present participle rallying round the flag, simple past and past participle rallied round the flag)

1. (idiomatic) To unite in order to support one's country, especially during a crisis or war.
   • Alternatively, the fires and explosions might cause Russians to rally around the flag in ways damaging to Ukraine, such as in building support for a general mobilization in Russia.2022 April 30, Andrew E. Kramer, “Ukrainian Official Outlines Intentional Ambiguity on Strikes Inside Russia”, in The New York Times, →ISSN
   • The result was not revolt, but a familiar wartime dynamic: a rally around the flag, reinforced by coercion and fear of state retribution.2026 April 23, Fawaz Gerges, “Trump’s war has backfired spectacularly: Iran is now more influential than ever”, in The Guardian, →ISSN