hail a cab

USAGE SUMMARY

'hail a cab' is a valid usage in written English.
It is used to refer to the action of signaling a cab (hailing a cab driver in order to ask for a ride). An example sentence would be: After a long day, I needed to hail a cab to get home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'll just hail a cab".

The New York Times

In one minute, hail a cab.

The New Yorker

I keep typing and hail a cab.

Independent

I couldn't hail a cab.

The New Yorker

It's no trouble to hail a cab.

The New York Times - Food

Hail a cab to Port Authority.

The New York Times - Travel

I tried to hail a cab straight after my makeover.

The New York Times

So, I ventured outside to hail a cab.

The New York Times

We rushed her outside and tried to hail a cab.

The New York Times

When you're tired of being lost, you hail a cab.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The simple rule is; if you can't see the next bar -- hail a cab.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, ensure the context clarifies whether you're physically flagging down a taxi or using an app to request one.

Common error

Be mindful that "hail a cab" is most commonly used in cities where taxis are prevalent. In areas with limited taxi services, consider using alternatives like "call a taxi" or "request a ride" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hail a cab" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of summoning a taxi. As Ludwig AI explains, this entails signaling a taxi, often by raising a hand. It is widely understood and used in contexts where taxi services are readily available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

25%

General Conversation

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hail a cab" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of signaling a taxi for transportation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in casual conversation. While alternatives such as "call a taxi" or "flag down a cab" exist, "hail a cab" remains a straightforward and universally understood expression for obtaining taxi service on the street.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flag down a cab

This emphasizes the action of waving or signaling to get the driver's attention.

grab a cab

This alternative is more informal, similar to the main query.

catch a cab

Similar to "get a taxi", but implies a bit more effort or opportunity.

get a taxi

This is a more general way to describe obtaining taxi transportation.

take a cab

This indicates using a taxi for transportation, without specifying how it was obtained.

call a taxi

This alternative suggests requesting a taxi service via phone or app, rather than directly signaling one on the street.

order a taxi

Similar to "call a taxi", but implies a more structured method of requesting the service.

summon a taxi

This suggests a more formal or technological way of calling for a taxi, such as through an app.

get a ride

A broader term that encompasses various modes of transportation, including taxis.

call an Uber

Specifies a specific rideshare service, rather than general taxi service.

FAQs

What does "hail a cab" mean?

"Hail a cab" means to signal a taxi, usually by raising your hand, to request a ride. It's a common phrase used in urban environments where taxis are readily available.

Is "hail a cab" the same as "call a cab"?

While both phrases refer to getting a taxi, "hail a cab" typically implies signaling one on the street, whereas "call a cab" suggests requesting a taxi via phone or an app like "order a taxi".

What are some alternatives to "hail a cab"?

Alternatives include "flag down a cab", "catch a cab", or simply "get a taxi", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "hail a cab"?

It's appropriate to use "hail a cab" when you want to describe the act of signaling a taxi in a place where taxis are common. In other locations you might consider using alternatives like "summon a taxi" if you call a taxi using an app.