hitchhike
hitchhike Lexical Profile
hitchhike Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To travel by standing on the side of the road and soliciting free rides from passing vehicles.
"After their car broke down on the highway, they had to hitchhike to the nearest town."
To attach oneself to or take advantage of something that is already moving or operating, without making an independent effort (used figuratively).
"Several invasive marine species hitchhike across oceans by attaching themselves to the hulls of cargo ships."
• noun
A journey or trip made by soliciting free rides from passing vehicles.
"Their long hitchhike across the desert required patience and careful planning."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in American English in the 1920s from the earlier expression 'ride and tie' (or 'hitch and hike'), where two travelers sharing a single horse took turns riding ahead, hitching the animal to a post, and walking on while the second person caught up.