Thumb a ride Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To ask a passing driver to give you a free ride by standing on the side of the road and holding out your thumb. Usually means traveling without paying for transportation.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and somewhat old-fashioned; most common in stories or travel contexts. Usually describes the act of hitchhiking. 'Thumb' comes from the gesture used to signal cars. Not commonly used in daily conversation anymore.
Example Sentences
We decided to thumb a ride to the next town.
basic
You can try to thumb a ride if you miss the bus.
basic
He learned how to thumb a ride when he traveled across Europe.
basic
Back in college, I used to thumb a ride every weekend to get home.
natural
She stuck out her thumb and tried to thumb a ride to the festival.
natural
Not many people thumb a ride these days because of safety concerns.
natural