Flag off

Flag Off or 'Flagged Off means official start or beginning of an event or undertaking. In this a piece of cloth, usually rectangular, of distinctive color and design, used as a symbol, standard, signal, or emblem.[1][2]

Navy Officer Flags Off Race

It is an idiomatic expression indicating the commencement of some event- usually involving travel or movement. Such an event is either an expedition, a race, or a rally. Mostly it is a checkered flag of black and white or a flag of single color (any color) with or without emblem or signage of the event printed on it. As a ceremonial beginning often involves waving of a flag by a dignitary to signify the formal commencement of an event, it's called flag off. In naval or maritime context, a maritime flag or a naval ensign may be waved to signify the start of an expedition. On the other hand, for stationary events, such as a sporting tournament, political summit, literary meet, etc. the equivalent expression used is kick-off.[3][4]

Significance

Even though the word 'Off' often stands for a negative meaning, 'Flag off' is used to mean that somebody gave the orders to start something like a 'race'. One of the most famous flag off was at the Formula 1 competition, when the first world championship race was held at Silverstone race track in England on May 13, 1950.[5][6]

References
  1. "What is the meaning of flag off?".
  2. "flag off?".
  3. "PM Narendra Modi to flag off 8 trains tomorrow to boost connectivity to Statue of Unity".
  4. "What is the meaning of 'flag off'?".
  5. "The first F1 World Championship race: the 1950 British Grand Prix".
  6. "India all set to flag-off its first-ever driverless train from December 28?".
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