Say it like this
- Let me run it up the flagpole and see what leadership thinks.
- Can we run this up the flagpole before we commit?
- I'll float the idea with the team first.
Use it at work
Testing an idea
- Let me run it up the flagpole.
- I'll float it with leadership.
Suggesting a check
- Should we run this by a few customers first?
- Let's get a temperature check.
Plain alternative
- I'll check what the team thinks.
- Let me see how people react.
Don't say this
The idiom uses "flagpole".
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| run it up the flagpole | test an idea's reaction | US corporate | before deciding |
| socialize | share an idea to build support | business | proposals |
| temperature check | a quick poll of opinions | meetings | group feeling |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your manager wants to test your idea with leadership first. What might they say?
2. Before we spend money on it, let's run the idea up the _______ with a few customers.
3. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
4. Rewrite in plain English: 'Let me run it up the flagpole.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Let me run it up the flagpole and see what leadership thinks."
We don't save your recording. The word check uses your browser's speech recognition.
More about run it up the flagpole
Real examples(3)
- in a one-on-one
"I like the idea. Let me run it up the flagpole with the VP and get back to you."
- in a strategy meeting
"Before we build anything, let's run the pricing idea up the flagpole with a few customers."
- joking in Slack
"Running this up the flagpole: tacos for the team lunch?"
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. It sounds dated. Use "float the idea" if you want to sound neutral.
- ✕I ran up the flagpole the decision.✓I ran the decision up the flagpole.
Put the object in the middle: "run [the idea] up the flagpole".
- ✕Run it up the flagpole (to mean approve it)✓Get it approved
The idiom means test the reaction, not get final approval.
Other forms(2)
- run [idea] up the flagpole with object
"Let's run the plan up the flagpole."
- ran it up the flagpole past
"I ran it up the flagpole yesterday."
Often used with(3)
- run it up the flagpole with · test with a person or group
- and see who salutes · the full traditional saying
- float an idea · a plainer alternative
Similar words(3)
- float an idea · neutral
- sound someone out · UK, check opinion
- get a reaction · plain English
Opposites(2)
- decide alone
- push it through
Questions(4)
- What does run it up the flagpole mean?
- To share an idea to see how people react before making a decision.
- What is the full saying?
- "Run it up the flagpole and see who salutes."
- Is the phrase old-fashioned?
- Yes, it sounds dated and very corporate. People often use it a bit jokingly.
- What can I say instead?
- "Float the idea", "get a reaction" or "check with leadership".
