wave down

Flag a cab

To wave down is to signal someone—usually a driver—to stop by waving your arm: She waved down a taxi, He waved down a passing motorist for help.

The gesture is urgent or deliberate, distinguishing it from a casual wave of greeting.

signal

hail

Icy precipitation pellets

flagCloth symbol or signal
beckonSignal to approach
summonCall to appear

gesture · motion · attract · catch · stop · alert · arm · urgently · frantically · roadside

vehicle

taxi

Vehicle for hire

cabVehicle for hire
busLarge passenger vehicle
driverVehicle operator

ride · pickup · street · transport · hitchhike · rideshare · pull over · passing car · motorist · trucker

emergency

help

Assistance given

rescueSave from harm
aidSupport given freely
distressSevere anxiety or suffering

stranded · breakdown · roadside · assist · SOS · urgent · desperate · accident · flat tire · emergency

Opposites

signaling intent

wave downwave off

Dismiss with gesture

wave away · shoo away · dismiss · send off · brush off

attention-seeking

wave downignore

Refuse to notice

let go · overlook · disregard · release · pass by

Family

wave, down, waves, waved, waving, wavy, waviness, waver, downer

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G