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.

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Example Sentences

All were flagged down outside county social services offices, where many were on their way to get food assistance and cash aid.

From Los Angeles Times

After getting hit in the hand, he said, he fled and flagged down a truck for a ride to the hospital.

From The Wall Street Journal

Another frustration for supporters is around 'delaying the flag' - where officials are told to keep their flag down if they felt there was an immediate goalscoring opportunity.

From BBC

A festival-goer flagged down a Pershing County sheriff’s deputy to report the death in the campsite.

From Los Angeles Times

Many have questioned the council's intentions for taking down the flags down.

From BBC

Related Words

• address
• greet
• salute
• signal
• welcome