cue
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- Please cue me in.
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 the music now.
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?
- Please cue up the music.
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.
- The music started 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.
- Right on cue, he called me.
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.
- I take my cue from my teacher.