Wave down Meaning in English
expression
ˈweɪv/ /ˈdaʊn
WAYV DOUN
wˈeɪv/ /dˈaʊn
WAYV DOUN
Definition
To signal to a driver or person by waving your hand so that they stop, usually in order to talk or get a ride.
Usage & Nuances
Always used transitively: 'wave down a taxi'. Implication is you're asking someone to stop, especially moving vehicles or people passing by. More common in spoken English, informal. Not just 'wave'—it must be to stop someone.
Spanish: hacerle señas a (alguien para que pare) - parar con una señalPortuguese (BR): chamar com aceno (para parar) - pedir para parar acenandoPortuguese (PT): chamar com um aceno (para parar) - mandar parar acenandoChinese (Simplified): 挥手示意停车Chinese (Traditional): 揮手示意停車Hindi: हाथ हिलाकर रोकनाArabic: لوّح بيده ليقفBengali: হাত নেড়ে থামানোRussian: остановить жестом - помахать, чтобы остановитьJapanese: 手を振って止めるVietnamese: vẫy tay ra hiệu dừng lạiKorean: 손짓하여 세우다Turkish: el sallayarak durdurmakUrdu: ہاتھ کے اشارے سے روکناIndonesian: melambaikan tangan untuk menghentikan
Example Sentences
I tried to wave down a taxi on the busy street.
basic
She waved down the bus just in time.
basic
Can you wave down that car for help?
basic
He stood at the curb and waved down a passing cab.
natural
It took a few tries to wave down a ride in the rain.
natural
Just stand over there and wave down whoever drives by.
natural