Cool MateCue vs That was not the signal
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cue
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
That was not the signal
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Cue
| Cue | That was not the signal | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kjuː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kjuː/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæt wəz nɒt ðə ˈsɪgnəl//🇺🇸 //ðæt wəz nɑt ðə ˈsɪɡnəl// |
| Meaning | A signal or reminder to do something. | A sign that tells you to do something. |
| Example | He gave me a subtle cue to start the presentation. | When the light turned red, I realized that was not the signal to go. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | visual, wait for, follow, take, on cue, cue for, right on cue, take your cue from somebody/something, visual, wait for, follow, take, on cue, cue for, right on cue, take your cue from somebody/something | send a signal, receive a signal, clear signal, mixed signal, non-verbal signal |
| Antonyms | distraction, misdirection | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'cue' with 'queue' which means a line of people., Using 'cues' instead of 'cue' when referring to a single signal., Mispronouncing 'cue' as 'kyoo' instead of 'kwu' in some dialects. | Confusing with 'That was not the sign', which is less specific., Using in overly formal contexts where simpler phrases would be better., Neglecting to specify what the signal was if implying context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'cue' when referring to signals, especially in performances or sports. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. | This phrase is used when you want to indicate that something did not give a clear instruction or indication. It can be used in various contexts, such as communication or reactions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Cue vs That was not the signal
What's the difference between Cue and That was not the signal?
Cue: A signal or reminder to do something. That was not the signal: A sign that tells you to do something.
Which is more common: Cue and That was not the signal?
Cue is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Cue: He gave me a subtle cue to start the presentation. That was not the signal: When the light turned red, I realized that was not the signal to go.
Can I use Cue and That was not the signal interchangeably?
Not always. Cue and That was not the signal are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.