General
run it up the flagpole
What does run it up the flagpole mean?
To propose something to others to gauge whether it gains support.
"Let's run it up the flagpole and see if leadership bites."
Origin
1950s American advertising idiom ('see who salutes').
Frequently asked questions
What does 'run it up the flagpole' mean?
It means to float an idea to others to see how they react and whether it gains support before committing to it.
Where does the phrase come from?
It's a 1950s American advertising idiom, often quoted in full as 'run it up the flagpole and see who salutes.'
How is it used at work?
To describe testing an idea informally, e.g. 'Let's run it up the flagpole with the leadership team first.'
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