hitch-hike
A traveler stands by the side of a country road with his thumb raised to hitch-hike.
Definition
- Verb:
- Travel by soliciting free rides: To "hitch-hike" means to travel by standing at the side of a road and signaling to passing drivers to ask for a free ride, usually by extending a thumb or holding a sign.
- Obtain a ride by signaling: More specifically, to get transportation from a stranger's vehicle by making a gesture or request.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- They decided to hitch-hike across Europe to save money on transportation. (They traveled by asking drivers for free rides.)
- She tried to hitch-hike to the festival but had to wait for hours. (She attempted to get a free ride by signaling drivers.)
Advanced Usage
"to hitch-hike one's way": to travel extensively by hitch-hiking.
- He hitch-hiked his way from New York to Los Angeles. (He traveled the entire distance by asking for free rides.)
"to hitch-hike a ride": to obtain a free ride by hitch-hiking.
- We managed to hitch-hike a ride with a friendly truck driver. (We got a free ride from a truck driver.)
Variants and Related Words
Hitchhiker (n): a person who travels by hitch-hiking.
- The hitchhiker stood by the highway with a sign. (The person asking for free rides.)
Hitchhiking (n): the activity or practice of traveling by soliciting free rides.
- Hitchhiking is illegal in some countries due to safety concerns. (The practice of asking for free rides.)
Synonyms
- Thumb a ride: to signal for a free ride by raising the thumb.
- Hitch a ride: to obtain a free ride, often by asking or signaling.
Phrasal Verbs
- Hitch up: to attach or connect something (not directly related to hitch-hiking, but the base verb "hitch").
- They hitched up the trailer to the car. (They attached the trailer.)
Related Idioms
- Hitch one's wagon to a star: to aim for high ambitions or attach oneself to a successful person (not directly related to hitch-hiking but using the verb "hitch").
- She hitched her wagon to a star and became a famous singer. (She pursued a lofty goal.)