cue
a signal to do something
A cue is something that tells you it is time to do something.
a cue (for [someone]) to do [something]
- When the lights dim, that’s our cue to take our seats.
- She waited for a cue from her manager before speaking.
- His yawn was a cue that the meeting should end soon.
- The bell was my cue to go inside.
- I looked for a cue to start.
give a signal to someone
To cue someone is to signal them to start or do something.
cue [someone] (to do [something]); cue [something]
- The director cued the actor to walk on stage.
- I nodded to cue him to continue.
- The host cued the band for the final song.
- She cued me to start talking.
stick used in pool
A cue is the stick you use to hit the ball in pool.
a cue; a [pool/snooker] cue
- He chalked his cue before taking the shot.
- She bought a new cue for league night.
- Don’t swing the cue too hard or you’ll scratch.
- I need a cue to play pool.
actor’s timing signal or line
In a show, a cue tells you when to start your part.
miss a cue; take a cue; on a cue
- Her cue is the moment he says, 'I can’t stay.'
- The lighting operator missed the cue and the stage stayed dark.
- The drummer watched for the conductor’s cue.
- That line is my cue to enter.
a stimulus that helps you respond
A cue can be something that helps you remember or understand what to do.
[something] is a cue for [something]; cues to [something]
- Her tone of voice was a cue that she was joking.
- Smells can be powerful cues for memory.
- He missed the social cues and kept talking too long.
- His face was a cue that he was angry.
short sound/image used for timing
A cue can be a short signal used in TV, radio, or music to show when something should start.
a cue for [something]; a cue to [do something]
- The producer gave a cue to roll the clip.
- A loud beep served as the cue for the commercial break.
- The editor added an audio cue for the transition.
set up audio/video to start
To cue a track is to prepare it so it can start at the right time.
cue [something] (to/at [a point])
- The DJ cued the next track and waited for the drop.
- Cue the video to 00:45 before the meeting starts.
- She cued the clip to the exact frame where he enters.
- Base: cue
- Plural: cues
- Base: cue
- 3rd Person Singular: cues
- Present Participle: cueing, cuing
- Past: cued
- Past Participle: cued
cue in
1add someone to a conversation
To cue someone in is to tell them what is happening so they can join in.
- 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.
cue someone in on
1inform someone about something
To cue someone in on something is to explain it to them so they know what is going on.
- 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
1start the music at a moment
Cue the music means start the music now (sometimes said as a joke).
- 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.
cue up
1prepare to play or show
To cue up something is to get it ready to start.
- 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?
on cue
1exactly at the right time
If something happens on cue, it happens at the exact planned time.
- 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.
right on cue
1exactly when expected
Right on cue means exactly at the perfect time.
- 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.
take your cue from
1follow someone’s example
To take your cue from someone means to do what they do or what they suggest.
- 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.