cue
/kju:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A signal to begin: A word, phrase, or action that indicates when someone should start speaking or performing.
- A hint or prompt: A piece of information or a suggestion that guides someone's behavior or actions.
- A long, tapering rod: A stick used to strike the cue ball in games like pool, billiards, or snooker.
Verb:
- To give a signal: To provide a cue to someone, indicating when they should start an action or speech.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The actor waited for his cue to enter the stage.
- Her yawn was my cue to end the conversation.
- He placed the cue on the table after his shot.
Verb:
- The conductor cued the violins to begin playing.
- Can you cue me when it's my turn to speak?
Advanced Usage
"to take one's cue from (someone/something)": To use someone's actions or a situation as a guide for your own behavior.
- The new employees took their cue from the manager's professional attitude.
"right on cue": Happening at exactly the expected or appropriate moment.
- As if right on cue, the sun came out just as the ceremony started.
Variants and Related Words
- Cue ball (n): The white ball struck by the cue in pool or billiards.
- Cue card (n): A card held off-camera to prompt an actor or speaker with lines.
Synonyms
- Signal: A gesture, action, or sound conveying information or an instruction.
- Prompt: An act of encouraging a hesitating speaker or performer.
- Hint: A slight or indirect indication or suggestion.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Cue in: To give someone information or instructions, especially about a situation.
- Before the meeting, she cued me in on the client's main concerns.
Cue up: To prepare something to be ready to start, especially audio or video.
- Could you cue up the next video for the presentation?
Related Idioms
Miss a cue: To fail to notice or act upon a signal or opportunity.
- The drummer missed his cue and came in late.
(Wait) in the wings / on cue: To be ready and waiting for the right moment to act. (Often used in a theatrical sense, linking readiness to the concept of a cue).
- The understudy was waiting in the wings, ready to go on at a moment's cue.
Noun
- sports implement consisting of a tapering rod used to strike a cue ball in pool or billiards
- a stimulus that provides information about what to do
- evidence that helps to solve a problem
- an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
Verb
- assist (somebody acting or reciting) by suggesting the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned