HITCHHIKE
hitchhike, hitch, thumb
(verb) travel by getting free rides from motorists
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
hitchhike (third-person singular simple present hitchhikes, present participle hitchhiking, simple past and past participle hitchhiked)
To try to get a ride in a passing vehicle while standing at the side of a road, generally by either sticking out one's finger or thumb or holding a sign with one's stated destination.
To be carried along with something else, for example Genetic Hitchhiking where a gene is propagated because it occurs in conjunction with a favourable mutation, or Cultural Hitchhiking where a cultural trait spreads with a technologically advanced population.
Synonyms
• hitch
• hitch a ride
• thumb a lift
• thumb a ride (US)
Source: Wiktionary