cue
gb/kjˈu/ us/kjˈu/
B1
English
jelzés, jel, jelez, jelt ad, dákó, végszó, támpont, beállít, bekészít
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a cue (for [someone]) to do [something]
When the lights dim, that’s our cue to take our seats.
Amikor elhalványulnak a fények, az a jel számunkra, hogy elfoglaljuk a helyünket.
She waited for a cue from her manager before speaking.
Mielőtt megszólalt, megvárta a vezetője jelzését.
His yawn was a cue that the meeting should end soon.
Learner examples
The bell was my cue to go inside.
A csengő volt a jel számomra, hogy bemenjek.
I looked for a cue to start.
Jelzést kerestem, hogy elkezdhessem.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse cue (a signal) with queue (a line of people).
Meaning
a signal to do something
Collocations
a cue to start
|a cue to speak
|a clear cue
|a subtle cue
|a visual cue
|a verbal cue
|a cue for action
|a cue for someone
|take a cue
Synonyms
signal (More general; cue often implies timing or prompting.)
|
prompt (Emphasizes encouraging someone to act or remember.)
|
hint (Suggests indirectly rather than clearly signaling.)
Themes
communication
|work
|daily_life
Definition
A cue is something that tells you it is time to do something.
A sign, action, or event that tells someone when to do something or suggests what they should do.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
cue [someone] (to do [something]); cue [something]
The director cued the actor to walk on stage.
A rendező jelt adott a színésznek, hogy lépjen a színpadra.
I nodded to cue him to continue.
Bólintottam, jelezve neki, hogy folytassa.
The host cued the band for the final song.
Learner examples
She cued me to start talking.
Jelzett nekem, hogy kezdjek el beszélni.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'queue' as a verb here; the correct verb for giving a signal is cue.
Meaning
give a signal to someone
Collocations
cue someone to speak
|cue someone to enter
|cue the actors
|cue the music
|cue a change
|cue a reaction
Synonyms
prompt (Focuses on helping someone remember what to do.)
|
signal (More general; cue often implies coordinated timing.)
Themes
communication
|work
|performing_arts
Definition
To cue someone is to signal them to start or do something.
To give someone a signal or prompt to begin or do something, especially at a specific time.
NOUN
B1
3
dákó
B2
Usage pattern:
a cue; a [pool/snooker] cue
He chalked his cue before taking the shot.
Lökés előtt bekrétázta a dákója végét.
She bought a new cue for league night.
Vett egy új dákót a bajnoki játékestre.
Don’t swing the cue too hard or you’ll scratch.
Learner examples
I need a cue to play pool.
Dákóra van szükségem a biliárdozáshoz.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse cue (the stick) with queue (a line).
Meaning
stick used in pool
Collocations
pool cue
|snooker cue
|a cue stick
|a cue case
|a cue tip
|hold a cue
|chalk a cue
|lean on a cue
|buy a cue
Synonyms
cue stick (More explicit; common in American English.)
Themes
sports
|leisure
Definition
A cue is the stick you use to hit the ball in pool.
A long tapered stick used to strike the cue ball in billiards, pool, or snooker.
NOUN
B2
4
Usage pattern:
miss a cue; take a cue; on a cue
Her cue is the moment he says, 'I can’t stay.'
Számára az a végszó, amikor a férfi azt mondja: „Nem maradhatok.”
The lighting operator missed the cue and the stage stayed dark.
A világosító lekéste a jelzést, és a színpad sötét maradt.
The drummer watched for the conductor’s cue.
Learner examples
That line is my cue to enter.
Ez a mondat a végszavam; erre kell belépnem.
Common mistake:
A 'cue' is the signal/line; a 'line' can also mean the spoken words themselves.
Meaning
actor’s timing signal or line
Collocations
stage cue
|lighting cue
|sound cue
|a cue line
|miss a cue
|pick up a cue
|wait for your cue
|give someone a cue
|take your cue
Synonyms
prompt (Often specifically help for remembering words or actions.)
|
signal (Broader; cue is often tied to exact timing.)
Themes
performing_arts
|media
Definition
In a show, a cue tells you when to start your part.
In theatre or broadcasting, a signal or a particular line or moment that tells a performer or technician when to enter, speak, or act.
NOUN
B2
5
Usage pattern:
[something] is a cue for [something]; cues to [something]
Her tone of voice was a cue that she was joking.
A hanghordozása jel volt arra, hogy csak viccel.
Smells can be powerful cues for memory.
Az illatok erős emlékezeti támpontok lehetnek.
He missed the social cues and kept talking too long.
Learner examples
His face was a cue that he was angry.
Az arckifejezése jel volt arra, hogy dühös.
Common mistake:
In this sense, cue is often paired with adjectives like visual, social, or contextual.
Meaning
a stimulus that helps you respond
Collocations
contextual cue
|social cue
|visual cue
|auditory cue
|memory cue
|a cue for danger
|pick up on cues
|read the cues
|respond to cues
Synonyms
clue (More common in everyday speech; cue often emphasizes prompting a response.)
|
signal (Can be physical or informational; cue is often smaller or subtler.)
Themes
psychology
|learning
|health
Definition
A cue can be something that helps you remember or understand what to do.
A feature or piece of information that helps you recognize something, remember something, or choose a response.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
6
jelzés
B1
Usage pattern:
a cue for [something]; a cue to [do something]
The producer gave a cue to roll the clip.
A producer jelzést adott, hogy indítsák el a bejátszást.
A loud beep served as the cue for the commercial break.
Egy hangos sípolás volt a jelzés a reklámszünet indítására.
The editor added an audio cue for the transition.
Common mistake:
In production contexts, 'cue' may refer to the signal itself, not the whole song or clip.
Meaning
short sound/image used for timing
Collocations
audio cue
|video cue
|cue track
|cue tone
|cue point
|timing cue
|a cue to roll
|a cue to fade
|a cue to cut
Synonyms
cueing signal (More explicit; used in technical contexts.)
Themes
media
|technology
|music
Definition
A cue can be a short signal used in TV, radio, or music to show when something should start.
A short sound, image, or message used to coordinate timing in recording, broadcasting, or live production.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
7
Usage pattern:
cue [something] (to/at [a point])
The DJ cued the next track and waited for the drop.
A DJ bekészítette a következő számot, és várta a dropot.
Cue the video to 00:45 before the meeting starts.
Az értekezlet kezdete előtt állítsd be a videót 00:45-re.
She cued the clip to the exact frame where he enters.
Common mistake:
In everyday English, people more often say 'cue up' than 'cue' alone for this meaning.
Meaning
set up audio/video to start
Collocations
cue a track
|cue a song
|cue the next clip
|cue the video
|cue at the start
|cue to the chorus
|cue to a timecode
Synonyms
ready (More general; does not imply setting an exact start point.)
|
line up (Common in informal production talk; less precise than cue.)
Themes
music
|media
|technology
Definition
To cue a track is to prepare it so it can start at the right time.
To set a recording to a particular point so it is ready to play at the right moment.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cue
IPA
GB/kjˈu/
US/kjˈu/
Syllables & stress
cue (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (cue)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cue
- Plural: cues
Verb
- Base: cue
- 3rd Person Singular: cues
- Present Participle: cueing, cuing
- Past: cued
- Past Participle: cued
Word family
Forms
cues
noun
cueing
verb
cuing
verb
cued
verb
Expressions
cue in
1/kjˈu ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
add someone to a conversation
To cue someone in is to tell them what is happening so they can join in.
Examples
- Can you cue me in on what I missed in the meeting?
- They forgot to cue her in, so she didn’t know the plan had changed.
- I’ll cue you in once I hear back from legal.
Learner examples
- Please cue me in.
cue someone in on
1/kjˈu sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɪn ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
inform someone about something
To cue someone in on something is to explain it to them so they know what is going on.
Examples
- Cue me in on the client’s main concerns before the call.
- She cued him in on the new schedule.
- They cued the interns in on the office rules.
cue the music
1/kjˈu ðə mjˈuzɪk/
fixed phrase
start the music at a moment
Cue the music means start the music now (sometimes said as a joke).
Examples
- Cue the music, and bring the lights up slowly.
- He started telling his sad story—cue the music.
- Cue the music as soon as the host says our name.
Learner examples
- Cue the music now.
cue up
1/kjˈu ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
prepare to play or show
To cue up something is to get it ready to start.
Examples
- Cue up the next slide while I answer questions.
- She cued the song up and waited for the countdown.
- Can you cue up the video at the two-minute mark?
Learner examples
- Please cue up the music.
on cue
1/ˈɔn kjˈu/
fixed phrase
exactly at the right time
If something happens on cue, it happens at the exact planned time.
Examples
- The fireworks began on cue as the music reached the finale.
- On cue, the child started crying when the camera turned on.
- The curtain rose on cue.
Learner examples
- The music started on cue.
right on cue
1/ɹˈaɪt ˈɔn kjˈu/
fixed phrase
exactly when expected
Right on cue means exactly at the perfect time.
Examples
- Right on cue, the power went out during the storm.
- She walked in right on cue, just as we mentioned her name.
- The dog barked right on cue when the doorbell rang.
Learner examples
- Right on cue, he called me.
take your cue from
1/tˈeɪk jˈʊɹ kjˈu fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
follow someone’s example
To take your cue from someone means to do what they do or what they suggest.
Examples
- I took my cue from my supervisor and kept my comments brief.
- Take your cue from the locals and dress more warmly.
- The team took its cue from the captain’s calm attitude.
Learner examples
- I take my cue from my teacher.