flag down

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, the Labour-run city council in Birmingham has been accused of leaving Palestinian flags up but taking St George's and union jack flags down.

From BBC

The volunteers’ typical two-hour shifts also entail telling hikers not to light a cigarette on trail, flagging down cars accidentally sparking on the road and, hopefully, deterring arsonists.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

Police officers on foot patrol were flagged down shortly before 12:30 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• address 
• greet 
• salute 
• signal 
• welcome