signal verb ⇨mean1 (signal a change in policy)⇨nod (Don't fire until I signal.)signal noun ⇨signal (give sb a signal)⇨sign1 (a clear signal that sth is wrong)signal
noun
signal ♦︎ sign ♦︎ cueThese are all words for a movement, sound or event that gives sb information or tells sb to do sth.这些词均表示信号、暗号。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a signal / sign / cue for sb / sth◆a signal / sign / cue (for sb) to do sth◆a clear signal / sign / cue◆a warning signal / sign◆to wait for / miss a / your signal / sign / cue◆to understand / misunderstand a / sb's signal / sign◆to give sb a signal / sign / cue◆to make a signal / sign■signal [countable] a movement or sound that you make to give sb information, instructions, a warning, etc.示意的动作(或声音);信号;暗号◆a danger / distress signal危险/求救信号◆At an agreed signal they left the room.收到约定的信号后,他们离开了房间。◆The siren was a signal for everyone to leave the building.警报声就是要所有人都离开大楼的信号。◆When I give the signal, run!我一发信号,你们就跑!◆ (NAmE) All I get is a busy signal when I dial his number(= his phone is being used).我什么时候拨他的电话,听到的都是忙音。 see also signal ⇨ nodverb■sign [countable] a movement or sound that you make to tell sb sth示意的动作(或声音);手势◆He gave a thumbs-up sign.他竖起大拇指表示赞同。◆She nodded as a sign for us to sit down.她点头示意我们坐下。NOTE辨析 Signal or sign?A sign is usually a hand movement, and is often fairly fixed and likely to be understood by people in general; signal has a wider range, and may have been invented by individuals in a particular situation. * sign通常指一种手势,而且常常是比较固定的,人们一般都能够理解;signal的范围更广泛些,可能是个人在特定情况下发明出来的◆sign language(= a system of communicating with people by using hand movements rather than spoken words)手势语◆a V-sign(= a sign that you make by holding up your hand and making a V-shape with your first and second fingers)V字形手势◆We agreed on a signal to mean 'stop'.我们约定了一种表示“停止”的信号。■cue [countable] an action or event that is a signal for sb to do sth暗示;提示;信号◆Jon's arrival was a cue for more champagne.乔恩的到来意味着要喝更多的香槟酒。◆I think that's my cue to explain why I'm here.我想这是要我解释为什么到这里来。◆ (figurative) 'Where is that boy?' As if on cue, Simon appeared in the doorway(= as if sb had given him a signal).“那男孩在哪里?”这话一出,西蒙像接到了信号一样出现在门口。◆ (figurative) Investors are taking their cue from the big banks and selling dollars(= taking what other people do as a sign for them to do the same).投资者看到大银行抛售美元,纷纷效法。