(as) bald as a cue ball
Totally bald. Likened to the smooth, shiny white ball used in cue sports like pool or snooker. My father had long hair as a teen, but now he's as bald as a cue ball. The medicine they gave me to treat the disease left me bald as a cue ball! If you take after my side of the family, you'll be as bald as a cue ball by 45.
(right) on cue
At exactly the most (or least) opportune moment, as if on purpose. We had just been talking about the awful new company initiative when, on cue, the CEO walked into the room. I was complaining to my wife that none of my friends had asked how our recent move went, when one of them sent me a text message about it right on cue. Oh man, it was so awkward—John was telling me about how his divorce, and his wedding song began to play in the restaurant, right on cue.
cue ball
slang A person who is completely bald. Likened to the smooth, shiny, white ball used in cue sports like pool or snooker. My father had long hair as a teen, but now he's a total cue ball. The medicine they gave me to treat the disease turned me into a cue ball! Well, it's not like I was a cue ball my whole life! But I did start losing my hair pretty young.
cue in
1. To signal one to begin to do something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cue" and "in." And then I'll cue in the sopranos for the harmony. Once the director cued me in, I stepped on stage. Once the current act leaves the stage, the teachers will cue the next act in.
2. To give one information that they have missed. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cue" and "in." Don't worry, I was here from the beginning so I'll cue you in on what we talked about. Why is everyone mad at Bruce this morning? Can you cue me in? Can you go as my proxy and then cue me in after the meeting?
cue up
1. To prepare something for viewing or listening. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cue" and "up." You cue up the video, I'll get the popcorn. Sorry, guys, I thought I had it cued up to the right part. Hang on a second. Wait, that's not the song's intro. Did you cue it up to the beginning, like I asked?
2. To assemble into a line, as of people who are waiting for something. A variant spelling of "queue up." I can't believe people are cued up already—the store doesn't open for another 12 hours! I hate having to cue up so early in the morning just to get tickets to a concert. We're asking everyone to cue up while they wait to be seen.
jump the queue
Primarily heard in UK.
1. To move in front of people who have been waiting in a line for something (rather than standing behind the last person, as is customary). Hey, don't jump the queue! Get behind the rest of us! I wanted to shout at the man for jumping the queue, but I was too embarrassed about making a scene.
2. To do something before it is one's turn. There has been public outrage after it came to light that some people had been jumping the queue for surgery appointments because they had a friend or relative working at the hospital.
take a/(one's) cue from (someone or something)
To model one's actions based on the example or influence of someone or something else. The director definitely took a cue from his favorite film when framing that scene. Take a cue from your kids and learn how to enjoy the little things.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
cue someone in
1. Lit. to give someone a cue; to indicate to someone that the time has come. Now, cue the orchestra director in. All right, cue in the announcer.
2. Fig. to tell someone what is going on. (Almost the same as clue someone in (on something).) I want to know what's going on. Cue me in. Cue in the general about the troop movement.
take one's cue from someone
to use someone else's behavior or reactions as a guide to one's own. (From the theatrical cue as a signal to speak, etc.) If you don't know which spoons to use at the dinner, just take your cue from John. The other children took their cue from Tommy and ignored the new boy.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
cue in
Give information or instructions, for example, She said she'd cue us in on their summer plans. This verbal use of the noun cue in the sense of "guiding suggestion" dates from the 1920s.
take one's cue from
Follow the lead of another, as in I'm not sure what to bring, so I'll take my cue from you. This expression, first recorded in 1622, alludes to the cue giving an actor a signal to speak.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.