flag down

Related to flag down: at first, Put the flags out

flag down

To wave one's arms to attract someone's attention, usually to get them to stop moving. A noun or pronoun can be used between "flag" and "down." I was finally able to flag down a passing motorist to help with our stalled car. It'll take a while to flag a taxi down. Why don't we just walk to the museum?
See also: down, flag
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

flag someone or something down

to signal or wave, indicating that someone should stop. Please go out and flag a taxi down. I'll be right out. She went to flag down a taxi.
See also: down, flag
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

flag down

Signal to stop, as in The police were flagging down all cars. This expression uses the verb flag in the sense of "catch the attention of, as by waving a flag," a usage dating from the mid-1800s; down was added in the first half of the 1900s.
See also: down, flag
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

flag down

v.
To signal something or someone to stop: I flagged down a taxi when it started raining. When we ran out of gas, we flagged the police officer down to ask for help.
See also: down, flag
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • ask down
  • angle
  • angling
  • freshen up
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • attract to
  • involve with
  • involve with (someone or something)
  • involved with
References in periodicals archive
"After they got the Union Flag down, they tried to run a tricolour up the flagpole but that was beyond them.
Orange Lodge hit by arson attack
"Many people are unaware that if they flag down a private hire car they are not insured for the journey and there can also be dangers posed by bogus drivers.
Xmas revelers in cab warning; CAMPAIGN: Advert alert over dangers of flagging down taxis
"We are appealing for anyone who may have been driving past who saw the woman attempting to flag down a car to get in touch with us.
Hunt for sex attacker
"In the street, he tried to flag down what he thought was a taxi and ended up with what I suppose could be described as a cab-nab and was taken straight to the local police station on his arrest."
IT'S A FARE COP; Dozy burglar flags down police car for getaway
A MAN was taken to hospital after he was injured in a road accident as he tried to flag down help when a fire broke out.
Blaze alert man hit by car
Family told that police didn't stop 'because local girls get very drunk and try to flag down police cars for a lift' says mum
Our Journey South joy turned to a nightmare in North
He eventually fled the scene and Joanne was able to flag down a passing truck.
ARE YOU GOING TO RAPE ME? Court told of girl's terror at hands of outback killer
Travel agent Stephanie Hammill, 20, was heading home with fiance James Garland, 22, when they decided to flag down a cab because of the cold.
'SNATCHED' GIRL DIES IN CABBIE HIT&RUN
The distraught 20-year-old tried to flag down a passing motorist for help - but the car did not stop.
Woman attacked on way from club
Maganes was in a tricycle along the Asingan-Villasis Road, intending to flag down a bus for Dagupan, when he heard three gunshots at the back of the vehicle.
Pangasinan radio commentator pretended he died to dupe attacker
After an ordeal which lasted more than an hour and a quarter the woman managed to flag down a car containing a couple who took her to University Hospital of North Tees for treatment.
Woman stabbed then dumped
The injured couple managed to flag down a passing motorist who drove them to the local Vale of Leven hospital.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY; Masked men dragged couple from their car in roadside raid
Steve took cover in the bushes as he tried to flag down a passing car miles from his Coventry home in the heart of the Cambridgeshire countryside.
Steve left blushing on his stag night; Pals leave him naked in a field
While yellow airport taxis are readily available in the NAIA arrival area, commuters prefer the regular taxis with a flag down rate of P30, resulting in long lines in the departure area, the only area where they were previously allowed.
Naia allows regular taxis to pick up passengers in arrival area