| Idiom | Rally Round the Flag |
|---|---|
| Example | To show we still love our team, let's rally round the flag, even if they lose. |
| Meaning | to come together to show support, especially in bad times |
| Origin | General Andrew Jackson first used this phrase at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 when he wanted his troops to come together ("rally") to fight the British Army in the War of 1812. The "flag" Jackson referred to was the U.S. flag, of course. (The United States won the war, and Jackson went on to become the seventh President of the country, 1829-37). Then the saying was included in the words to a song sung during the Civil War: "Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again. Shouting the battle cry of freedom." Today people use the expression to show support for anyone or anything in any situation. |
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