ply for trade

ply for trade

To seek out or try to engage new customers. Said especially of taxi services. Primarily heard in UK. The city council has introduced new measures to crack down on the number of taxis allowed to stop outside of pubs and theatres plying for trade.
See also: ply, trade
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ply for ˈhire/ˈtrade/ˈbusiness

(British English) look for customers, passengers, etc. in order to do business: There are plenty of taxis plying for hire outside the theatre.
See also: business, hire, ply, trade
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a go (at someone or something)
  • have a go
  • have a go (at someone or something)
  • have a go at
  • have a go at someone
  • bucket of steam
  • new kid on the block
  • a new kid on the block
  • a/the new kid on the block
  • bear something in mind
References in periodicals archive
|CAB BATTLES: A private hire car parked up in a disabled bay near Bold Street (left) and one of the many city centre signs (right) warning private drivers that it is an offence to ply for trade
TAXI drivers in an historic city say civic bosses have created "a monster" by allowing outside cabbies in to ply for trade.
TAXIS that were revealed to not meet safety standards will continue to ply for trade.
Other cabbies with licences to work in Warwick District -where the airport is located - are unable to ply for trade there.
While it is legal for Nuneaton and Bedworth taxi drivers to respond to bookings in Coventry, it is illegal for them to ply for trade on the streets.