showing the flag

Verb

show the flag (third-person singular simple present shows the flag, present participle showing the flag, simple past showed the flag, past participle shown the flag or (US also) showed the flag)

1. (literally) To display the flag of one's country, especially as an expression of patriotic pride.
2. (idiomatic) Of 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
3. (broadly, idiomatic) To 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