hitchhike

Everyday

1. To travel by standing at the side of the road and asking drivers for a free ride, often by holding up your thumb. tree →
2. (figurative) For a small creature or seed to travel by clinging to something else, as in «seeds hitchhike on your socks». tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons children learn never to hitchhike or get into a stranger's car. In science, seeds and tiny animals are said to «hitchhike» on fur, clothes or boats — that is how some plants spread. In stories it shows someone travelling with no money. Short form: hitch a ride, hitch (informal).

Examples

• Never hitchhike or take a lift from a stranger. tree →
• Burrs hitchhike on a dog's fur. tree →
• In the film, two students hitchhiked across the country. tree →
• Some insects hitchhike on ships to new countries. tree →
• He stood by the road trying to hitchhike. tree →
• The hitchhiker held up a sign saying «North». tree →
• Seeds hitchhiked home on my socks after the walk. tree →

Note

Regular: hitchhiked. The person is a hitchhiker. Informal: «hitch a ride», «thumb a lift» (UK). Safety: hitchhiking is dangerous for children and in many places not allowed on motorways.