flag down

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

I flagged down a waiter and ordered another glass of Malbec.

From Salon

“Put the flags down and hold up peace signs instead.”

From Salon

Metropolitan Police officers were flagged down by a member of staff after the incident at the school on Alfred Road, Westbourne Park, at about 16:40 BST on Monday.

From BBC

Kits carried by taxi drivers, identified by stickers on their vehicles, could then be flagged down by members of the public if they are assisting anyone with a stab wound.

From BBC

“The County never told them to take a flag down,” Patti wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• address
• greet
• salute
• signal
• welcome