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to tailgate

to tailgate

11 5.6
To drive too close behind another vehicle and risk a crash
  • verb
  • /ˈteɪlˌɡeɪt/
translation icon : conducir pegado a
  • You should never tailgate another vehicle; it's dangerous and illegal in many places.
  • tailgated another car
  • tailgating slow drivers
  • people tailgating

Examples

  • College football Saturdays in Morgantown are now officially one of the best places to tailgate in the nation.

    Blog text (7)
  • By the way, when you tailgate a large truck, you can't see what's ahead.

    Blog text (24)
  • Yeah, then I would have been tailgating you.

  • The next guy that tailgates me is in for a big surprise!

  • After the busiest week in a while, we just decided to tailgate the Tulsa game and gave our tickets away.

    Blog text (26)
  • Hey, anyone want to tailgate and join us in welcoming Wiggins to our Scott County get-together?

    Blog text (25)
  • Immediately after we parked, there were tons of people tailgating, having fun, barbecuing, and having lunch.

    Blog text (2)
  • If you're tailgating and it starts to rain, the last thing you want is soggy food.

    Blog text (33)
  • He was tailgating the car in front of him, which made the driver very nervous.

  • When someone tailgates you, it's best to change lanes and let them pass.

Synonyms

to ride someone's bumper
vsto tailgate
  • Informal
7.9

To drive very closely behind another car in a dangerous way

is about close driving that creates danger rather than showing aggression

How Close

to tailgate
11 5.6
to follow
1.0

Surface Forms

tailgate infinitive
tailgated past
tailgated past participle
tailgating present participle
tailgates third person singular

Etymology

Tailgate as a verb comes from the image of being at someone's tail ('back'); imagine your car so close you are almost touching their back 'door', so to tailgate means 'to follow too closely' while driving.