Nail your colours to the mast
Meaning
To publicly and firmly declare one's unwavering allegiance or opinion on a particular issue, making it impossible to retreat.
Origin
In the golden age of sail, a ship's national flag, or 'colours,' was a symbol of its identity and allegiance. During fierce naval battles, a captain might literally nail their flag to the mast. This bold, defiant act signaled to both friend and foe that the ship would never surrender, even if it meant fighting until the last man or the vessel sank. It was an unbreakable vow of commitment, ensuring the colours could not be lowered—either by enemy fire or by a crew intent on surrender—and thus signifying an unwavering resolve to fight to the bitter end.
Examples
- After weeks of indecision, the CEO finally decided to nail her colours to the mast and fully endorse the new product line.
- It's time for you to stop equivocating and nail your colours to the mast about which candidate you truly support in the election.