What are the definitions of “wave down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Make a hand signal to stop a vehicle.
They WAVED the van DOWN and got a lift after the accident.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “wave down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb wave down is to make a hand signal to stop a vehicle, such as a taxi, bus, or car. It is often used when someone needs a ride or wants to get the attention of a driver.
What are the different verb forms of “wave down”?
| Root Verb | wave down |
| Third Person Singular Present | waves down |
| Present Participle | waving down |
| Simple Past | waved down |
| Past Participle | waved down |
Example
I tried to wave down a taxi, but they were all occupied.
Example
She waves down the bus every morning to go to work.
Example
He is waving down a taxi to get to the airport.
Example
Yesterday, they waved down a passing car for help.
Example
The stranded traveler had waved down a truck to get a ride.
What kind of phrasal verb is “wave down”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“wave down” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She waved down a taxi to get to the train station.
Example
He waved the bus down to get a ride to school.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“wave down” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She waved down a taxi to get to the train station.
Example
He waved the bus down to get a ride to school.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “wave down”?
Wave someone down
To signal someone to come over or stop by using a hand gesture.
Example
I waved down my friend from across the street to join us for lunch.
Wave down a taxi
To signal a taxi to stop and pick you up.
Example
It was raining, so we decided to wave down a taxi instead of walking.
Wave down a bus
To signal a bus to stop and let you on.
Example
I waved down the bus just in time before it passed my stop.
Good things to know
Does “wave down” have an informal or formal tone?
Wave down is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal situations. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, such as in a news report or a business context.
What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “wave down”?
Synonyms
- signal
- hail
- flag down
- summon
- call over
- gesture
Antonyms
- dismiss
- ignore
- overlook
- pass by
- neglect
