Meaning of false flag | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A ruse, in the days of sail, in which an attacking ship would fly the colours of its enemy until close enough to open fire.
2. A diversionary or propaganda tactic of deceiving an adversary into thinking that an operation was carried out by another party.

Equivalents

Examples

“Using what the bureau calls a "False Flag" operation, F.B.I. agents posing as Russian intelligence officers contacted Mr. Pitts in August 1995, long after it believed he had ceased his spying activities, and feigned interest⟳ in reactivating him as a means of confirming his spying activities and determining how much information he may have⟳ provided to Moscow.”

“Now, that is not just offensive, it’s stupid. If the government had actually hired child actors, there is no way their stage⟳ parents would have⟳ stopped talking about it. “Well, he didn’t get⟳ the Tide commercial, but he did book a leading role in a government-sponsored false-flag attack! It’s the same director who did the moon landing! We’re very excited!””

“The US has made noncommittal statements so far. Meanwhile, many experts on Russia have⟳ raised the possibility that the strike⟳ could have⟳ been a false-flag operation from Moscow.”

CEFR level