bloody shirt

noun

1. a bloodstained shirt used to incite a mob to vengeance.
2. any symbol used for this purpose.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloody shirt¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

At one point, a car pulled up and man emerged carrying a young boy in a bloody shirt and whose hand had been blown off.

From Seattle Times

In fact, I suspect they will be happy if Trump is convicted and they can wave the bloody shirt to justify removing any barriers to total control of federal law enforcement.

From Salon

One of the protesters’ iconic blue tents is on display, as are the bloody shirt of a journalist beaten by soldiers and a flag flown at the protest bearing more than 90 inscriptions.

From Washington Post

When Justice Antonin Scalia, an enthusiastic originalist, used to be asked about the case, he was prone to say, “Waving the bloody shirt of Brown again, eh?”

From New York Times

Marcus Arbery, Ahmaud’s father temporarily walked out of the courtroom when photos of his son’s bloody shirt were show during testimony.

From Washington Post