A victor gives no quarter when the victor shows no clemency or mercy and refuses to spare the life in return for the surrender at discretion (unconditional surrender) of a vanquished opponent. In some circumstances, the opposing forces would signal their intention to give no quarter by using a red flag, however the use of a red flag to signal no quarter does not appear to have been universal among combatants.

No quarter is when a victor shows no clemency or mercy and refuses to spare the life in return for the unconditional surrender of a vanquished opponent.