How to Flag Down a Taxi: Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：hail a taxi (flag down a taxi)

flag down a taxi 🔊

/flæɡ daʊn ə ˈtæksi/

v.phr.

To signal a taxi to stop by waving or calling, so you can get in.

Person waving to flag down a yellow taxi on city street

hail a taxi 🔊

➕

/heɪl ə ˈtæksi/

v.phr.

To attract the attention of a taxi driver by waving your hand or making a visible signal so that the taxi stops to pick you up.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from nautical term 'flag' (to signal with a flag) + 'down' (to stop), later extended to hailing taxis.

💡 Mnemonic

Visualize a person waving a flag to 'flag down' a taxi, making the action memorable and concrete.

📖 Example

When I was running late for the meeting, I managed to flag down a taxi just outside the office. 🔊 When I was running late for the meeting, I managed to flag down a taxi just outside the office.

🔗 Collocations

flag down a cab – To signal a taxicab to stop

flag down a car – To wave at a car to get it to stop

flag down a bus – To signal a bus driver to stop and let you board

🔄 Synonyms

hail (v.) – To call out to or wave at someone to attract their attention, especially a taxi

wave down (v.phr.) – To signal a driver to stop by moving your arm up and down

summon (v.) – To order or call for someone to come, especially a vehicle or service

🚫 Antonyms

ignore (v.) – To pay no attention to a person attempting to get your attention

dismiss (v.) – To refuse to consider or stop for someone

📖 Cultural Story

Originated in the late 19th century when horse-drawn carriages and early taxis were hailed by waving a hand or a small flag. The phrase entered common use as mass transport grew in cities like London and New York.