Definition

Verb: - To accompany or follow someone, especially when one has not been explicitly invited or when one is joining a group or activity initiated by others.

Usage

This verb is used to describe the action of joining or following someone, typically in a social context. It often implies that the person "tagging along" is not the primary instigator of the activity and may be doing so somewhat informally or without a direct invitation. It is commonly used with the prepositions "with" or "on."

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "tag along behind (someone)": To follow someone, often at a slight distance or in a less involved manner.
  • The new intern tended to tag along behind the manager during the tour.

Variants and Related Words

• Tagalong (noun): A person who habitually accompanies others without being a central part of the group.
  • He was just a tagalong on their trips, never contributing to the plans.

Synonyms

• Accompany: To go somewhere with someone.
• Follow: To go or come after someone.
• Trail: To follow behind someone, often at a distance.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Come along: To accompany someone or to arrive/occur. (Note: This can imply a more welcome or invited participation than "tag along.")
  • You're welcome to come along if you'd like.

Related Idioms

• "To be a third wheel": To be an unwanted extra person in a group, typically a couple. (This idiom carries a stronger negative connotation of being superfluous compared to the more neutral "tag along.")
  • I felt like a third wheel tagging along on their date.

Verb

1. go along with, often uninvited
   • my younger brother often tagged along when I went out with my friends