wave down

wave down — phrasal verb

  • wave downbase form
  • waves down3rd person singular
  • waving down-ing form
  • waved downpast simple

1. to get a driver to stop their vehicle by raising and moving your arms in the air

1.phrasal verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to get a driver to stop their vehicle by raising and moving your arms in the air, especially when you want to take a taxi or bus on the street

Example

Jin stood on the corner, trying to wave down a taxi before the rain started.

wave down + taxi / cab / bus

Apinya waved down a passing bus by holding her arm out near the stop sign.

Common collocations
  • wave down a taxi
  • wave down a cab
  • wave down a bus
  • wave down a truck
  • wave someone down
Synonyms
  • hail

    slightly more formal; used almost exclusively for taxis ('hail a cab')

  • flag down

    same meaning but can suggest a larger gesture ('flag down a truck')

Grammar Patterns

wave down + noun phrase (vehicle)

wave + noun phrase (person) + down

Usage Note

Commonly used with vehicles that stop on demand (taxis, buses, minibuses), not scheduled services like trains. The object can separate the verb and particle: 'waved a taxi down' is as natural as 'waved down a taxi'.

Common Mistakes

I waved down him to stop the car.
I waved him down to stop the car.
The object pronoun must go between 'wave' and 'down'.

2. to signal with your hand that you want a vehicle or its driver to pull over and

2.phrasal verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to signal with your hand that you want a vehicle or its driver to pull over and stop, for example because you need help or directions

Example

Nikhil's car broke down, so he waved down a truck driver for help.

wave down + [driver/person] for help

Quinn waved down a van driver and asked for directions to a gas station.

Common collocations
  • wave down a driver
  • wave down a truck
  • wave down a car
  • wave down a passing vehicle
  • wave someone down for help
Synonyms
  • flag down

    interchangeable; 'flag down' sometimes implies a more urgent or assertive gesture

  • pull over

    describes what the driver does, not what the pedestrian does

Grammar Patterns

wave down + noun phrase (vehicle or driver)

wave + noun phrase + down

Usage Note

Frequently used in emergency or unexpected situations (breakdown, lost) where the driver may not be a taxi or service vehicle. The object is typically a vehicle type or the driver.

Phrasal verbs

wave down

phrasal verb

to move your hand in a particular way to show the driver of a car, truck, or other road vehicle that you want them to pull over and stop

Nikhil's car broke down, so he waved down a truck driver for help.

Quinn waved down a van driver and asked for directions to a gas station.

Idioms

wave down

idiom

to get a vehicle that is moving to stop by lifting your arm and moving it up and down so that the person driving will notice you

Jin stood on the corner, trying to wave down a taxi before the rain started.

The tour guide waved down a minibus to take the group to the museum.