cue

cue¹ [kju:] n

[Sense: 1-4; Date: 1500-1600; Origin: Probably from qu, short form of Latin quando 'when', used as a direction in actors' copies of plays.]

[Sense: 5; Date: 1700-1800; : French; Origin: queue 'tail, cue', from Latin cauda]

1.) an action or event that is a signal for something else to happen

cue for

▪ Our success was the cue for other companies to press ahead with new investment.

sb's cue to do sth

▪ I think that's my cue to explain why I'm here.

2.) a word, phrase, or action in a play that is a signal for the next person to speak or act

▪ She stood nervously in the wings waiting for her cue.

miss your cue

(=not speak or act when you are supposed to)

3.) (right/as if) on cue

happening or done at exactly the right moment

▪ And then, on cue, the weather changed.

▪ As if on cue, Sam arrived.

4.) take your cue from sb

to use someone else's actions or behaviour to show you what you should do or how you should behave

▪ With interest rates, the smaller banks will take their cue from the Federal Bank.

↑baize, ↑cue, ↑pocket

5.) a long straight wooden stick used for hitting the ball in games such as ↑billiards and ↑pool

cue ²

cue² v [T]

to give someone a sign that it is the right moment for them to speak or do something, especially during a performance

▪ The studio manager will cue you when it's your turn to come on.

cue up [cue sth<=>up] phr v

to make a ↑cassette, ↑video, or ↑CD be exactly in the position you want it to be in, so that you can play something immediately when you are ready

▪ The videotape's cued up and ready to go!