'''Flag Off''' or ''' Flagged Off ''' means official start or beginning of an event or undertaking. In this a piece of cloth, usually rectangular in size, and of distinctive color and design, is used as a symbol, standard, signal, or emblem and waved.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_flag_off|title= What is the meaning of flag off?|website= Answers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefreedictionary.com/flag+off|title=flag off?}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pm-narendra-modi-to-flag-off-8-trains-to-boost-connectivity-to-statue-of-unity-11610758049181.html|title= PM Narendra Modi to flag off 8 trains tomorrow to boost connectivity to Statue of Unity }}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/classic-season-opener-1950-british-gp |title= The first F1 World Championship race: the 1950 British Grand Prix|date= 13 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/india-all-set-to-flag-off-its-first-ever-driverless-train-from-december-28/as79964690.cms|title= India all set to flag-off its first-ever driverless train from December 28?|newspaper= The Times of India}}</ref> A similar significant flag off event happened when the then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee flagged off India's first ever point-to-point non-stop train, the Sealdah-New Delhi Duronto Express, from the Sealdah station in Kolkata on January 20, 2013. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/mamata-flags-off-first-duronto-express-109091900079_1.html#:~:text=Railway%20Minister%20Mamata%20Banerjee%20today,earlier%20than%20the%20Rajdhani%20Express.|title= Mamata flags off first Duronto Express?}}</ref> The 1st ever ‘SBI Green Marathon’, an SBI initiative to promote sustainability was flagged off from Delhi on March 25, 2018. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbi.co.in/documents/39129/52199/25+March+-+SBI+flag%27s+off+its+first+edition+%27SBI+Green+Marathon%27+to+promote+sustainability+-+Delhi-+Post+Event.pdf|title= SBI flag's off its first edition 'SBI Green Marathon' to promote sustainability}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Racing Category:Phrases