lower banners and silence drums; cease fighting or criticism
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesidiom
to lower the banners and silence the drums (a military tactic to conceal troop movements and avoid detection)
Originally a military strategy to hide troop movements by lowering banners and stopping drum signals.
The army lowered its banners and silenced its drums, quietly approaching the enemy camp under cover of darkness.
To avoid revealing their position, the troops lowered their banners and silenced their drums, marching in secret.
idiom
to cease all activities; to stop fighting or arguing; to back down
Modern extended meaning used to describe stopping any form of conflict, criticism, or activity. Can be used for literal fighting or metaphorical disputes.
After a long argument, both sides finally backed down and reached a compromise.
This online war of words lasted a month and has finally died down now.
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Seeing the other party's sincere attitude, he decided to back down and no longer pursue the matter.
The originally high-profile promotional campaign has now had to be called off.