If a flag is flying at half-mast, it is flying from the middle of the pole, not the top, to show respect and sorrow for someone who has just died. at half-mast a) if a flag is flying at half-mast, it has been raised to the middle of the pole in order to show respect and sadness for someone who has died b) if a piece of clothing is at half-mast, it is lower down the body than is usual