cue
/kjuː/ (bre, ipa) · /kjuː/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkyü/ (ame, mw)
cue — noun
- cuesingular
- cuesplural
1. a word, action, or sound in a play, film, or live show that tells a performer wh
a word, action, or sound in a play, film, or live show that tells a performer when to start speaking or doing something.
The actor stood behind the curtain, waiting for her cue to step into the spotlight.
cue + to-infinitive for intended action
When the music stopped, that was the cue for the dancers to freeze in place.
cue + for + noun + to-infinitive
Sumin missed her cue, and an awkward silence followed on stage.
The director shouted cues from behind the curtain during the dress rehearsal.
文法句型
cue + to-infinitive
cue + for + noun + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Theatre and film performers rely on spoken lines, sound effects, or lighting changes as cues. Missing a cue causes an awkward pause on stage.
常見錯誤
2. something — a look, a sound, or a change in a situation — that tells a person it
something — a look, a sound, or a change in a situation — that tells a person it is the right moment to start doing something.
The dinner bell was the cue for the children to wash their hands and sit at the table.
cue + for + noun + to-infinitive
When the teacher closed her book, that was the cue for the class to pack up.
Rachel took the manager's yawn as a cue that the long meeting was finally over.
The first flash of lightning was the cue for everyone to run toward the shelter.
文法句型
cue + to-infinitive
cue + for + noun + to-infinitive
用法筆記
This sense works in everyday life for any situation where one event signals that another should follow. Frequently appears with 'take…as a cue' or 'be the cue for'.
常見錯誤
3. a long, thin stick, usually made of wood with a leather tip at one end, used to
a long, thin stick, usually made of wood with a leather tip at one end, used to push or hit the ball in games such as billiards, pool, and snooker.
Felipe carefully aimed the cue and struck the white ball into the red ones.
A good pool player keeps the tip of the cue smooth and dusted with chalk.
collocation: cue tip / cue chalk
Owen bought a new cue stick after his old one cracked during a tournament.
The cue ball flew across the table and dropped neatly into the corner pocket.
用法筆記
Also called a 'cue stick'. In pool halls and snooker clubs, the cue is a personal item that players often own and maintain themselves. The word 'cue' in this sense has a different origin from the theatre sense — it comes from French 'queue' meaning 'tail'.
常見錯誤
cue — verb
- cuepresent simple I / you / we / they
- cues3rd person singular
- cueing-ing form
- cuedpast simple
1. to give a performer or another person a signal that tells them it is time to sta
to give a performer or another person a signal that tells them it is time to start speaking or doing something.
The stage manager cued the actors to begin the second act by lowering the lights.
cue + object + to-infinitive
Amira cued the musicians with a small nod, and the band started playing.
cue + object + with + gesture
The TV director raised one hand to cue the host to stop speaking.
Lien had to cue her partner from offstage because he had forgotten the opening line.
文法句型
cue + object + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Common in theatre and TV production. The object is usually a performer or technician. More formal or technical than 'signal' — used mainly by directors and stage managers.