distress flag

Maritime danger signal

A distress flag is a signal flown by a ship or displayed on land to indicate an emergency and request assistance.

The most recognized is the international orange flag, though any flag flown upside down can serve as a distress signal.

The crew raised a distress flag when the engine failed.

Figuratively, anything signaling trouble: Her sudden silence was a distress flag.

Related

search and rescue · signal · emergency · flare · signal flare · abandon ship · sinking · shipwreck · coast guard · coastguard · lifeboat · life raft · maritime · international waters · surrender · warning · beacon · help

Categories
Opposites
emergency status

distress flagsafety flag

Visible warning on vehicles

green flag · ensign

navigational purpose

distress flagchannel marker

Waterway navigation aid

racing flag · signal flag · burgee · pennant · ensign

Family

distress, flag, distressed, distressing, distressful, flags, flagged, flagging, stress

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Rated G