flag down

Idioms  

1. 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

Peterson has shown flashes of brilliance, but has also missed time with mysterious injuries and seen his play flag down the stretch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

Cretan, the spokesperson for the mayor’s office, said there was no legislative requirement to take the flag down.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2024

Manchester City defender John Stones limped off with an ankle injury sustained after the assistant referee had kept his flag down as Beto ran through on goal despite being offside.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2023

As cinders rained around her, the woman tried to flag down people driving past for a ride.

From Washington Times • Oct. 13, 2023

They did not want to flag down the stork in order to get to another place.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Related Words

• address
• greet
• salute
• signal
• welcome