sign

*the high sign

Fig. a prearranged signal for going ahead with something. (Often refers to a hand signal or some other visual signal. *Typically: get ~; give someone ~.) When I got the high sign, I pulled cautiously out into the roadway. The train's engineer got the high sign and began to move the train out of the station.

See also: high

harbinger of things to come and portent of things to come; sign of things to come

a sample of the events that are to occur in the future. The first cuts in our budget are a harbinger of things to come. Today's visit from the auditors is a portent of things to come.

See also: come, thing

show signs of something

to show hints or indications of something. I let the horse run at full speed until it began to show signs of tiring. Sally is showing signs of going to sleep.

See also: show

sign (up) with someone or something

to enter into an agreement with someone or a group. I signed up with Tom and John to crew their ship in the regatta. Did you sign with the office equipment supplier yet?

sign someone in

to record that someone has arrived somewhere and at what time by recording the information on a paper or a list. I will sign you in. What is your name? Do I have to sign in everyone?

sign someone on

to employ someone; to recruit someone as an employee. How many workers did the manager sign on? The construction company signed on ten new workers.

sign someone out of some place and sign someone out

to make a record of someone's departure from some place. Did someone sign you out of the factory, or did you just open the door and leave? I signed out those two who just left.

See also: out, place, some

sign someone up (for something)

to record the agreement of someone, including oneself, to participate in something. Has anyone signed you up for the office picnic? Can you sign up Liz for the party?

See also: up

sign someone up (with someone or something)

to record the agreement of someone to join someone, a group of people, or an organization. I want to sign George up with our softball team. Tom signed up his friends with the agency.

See also: up

sign something away

to sign a paper in which one gives away one's rights to something. Valerie signed her rights away. she signed away her claim to the money.

See also: away

sign something for someone 

1. to sign one's signature on a paper in place of someone else's signature. Would you please sign this for me? I can't sign it right now. Would you sign it for me?

2. to sign a paper for another person, using that person's name, adding the phrase "by [one's own name]." When the delivery comes, will you please sign my name for me? I signed Ted's name for him.

sign something in

to record that something has been received at a particular time by recording the information on a paper or a list. I have to sign this package in, then I will be right with you. should I sign in this shipment now?

sign something out of some place and sign something out

to make a record of the borrowing of something from some place. Dave signed the tape recorder out of the library. Dave signed out the tape recorder as well as some blank tapes.

See also: out, place, some

sign something over (to someone)

to sign a paper granting the rights to or ownership of something to a specific person. Larry signed all the rights to his book over to the publisher. He signed over all the rights to the publisher.

sign for someone

to sign something, using one's own signature in place of someone else's signature; to sign something, using another person's name, adding the phrase "by [one's own name]." He's not here. I will sign for him. Where do I sign? Who will sign for Mr. Wilson?

sign for something

to sign a piece of paper indicating that one has received something. Would you sign for this, please? Ted signed for the package and opened it up.

sign in

to indicate that one has arrived somewhere and at what time by signing a piece of paper or a list. Please sign in so we will know you are here. Did you remember to sign in this time?

sign of the times

something that signifies the situation evident in the current times. Your neighbor's unmowed grass is just a sign of the times. Nobody really cares any longer.

See also: times

sign off 

1. Lit. [for a broadcaster] to announce the end of programming for the day; [for an amateur radio operator] to announce the end of a transmission. Wally signed off and turned the transmitter off. Channel 43 failed to sign off at the scheduled time last night.

2. Fig. to quit doing what one has been doing and leave, go to bed, quit trying to do something, etc. I have to sign off and get to bed. See you all. When you finally sign off tonight, please turn out all the lights.

sign off on something

to sign a paper, indicating that one has finished with something or agrees with the state of something. The publisher signed off on the book and sent it to be printed. I refuse to sign off on this project until it is done correctly.

sign on

to announce the beginning of a broadcast transmission. The announcer signed on and then played "The Star-Spangled Banner." We usually sign on at six in the morning.

sign on (with someone or something) (as something)

to join up with someone or something in a particular capacity by signing a contract or agreement. I signed on with the captain of the Felicity Anne as first mate. Roger signed on as manager for the new store.

sign on the dotted line 

1. Lit. to indicate one's agreement or assent by placing one's signature on a special line provided for that purpose. (The line may be solid or dotted.) I agreed to the contract, but I haven't signed on the dotted line yet. When you have signed on the dotted line, please give me a call.

2. Fig. to indicate one's agreement to something. Okay. I agree to your terms. I'll sign on the dotted line. He is thinking favorably about going with us to Canada, but he hasn't signed on the bottom line.

See also: dot, line

sign one's own death warrant

Fig. to do something (knowingly) that will most likely result in severe trouble. (As if one were ordering one's own execution.) I wouldn't ever gamble a large sum of money. That would be signing my own death warrant. The killer signed his own death warrant when he walked into the police station and gave himself up.

See also: death, warrant

sign out

to indicate that one is leaving a place or going out temporarily by signing a piece of paper or a list. I forgot to sign out when I left. Please sign out every time you leave.

See also: out

sign up (for something)

to record one's agreement to participate in something. I want to sign up for guitar lessons. We will sign up as soon as possible.

See also: up

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be a sign of the times

to be something that shows that society is worse now than it was in the past Young people are so rude these days. It's a sign of the times.

See also: times

dollar signs in somebody's eyes  (American & Australian)

if someone has dollar signs in their eyes, they are thinking about the money they could get Local taxi drivers approached us with dollar signs in their eyes.

See also: dollar, eye

sign your own death warrant

to do something which will stop you from being successful

Usage notes: A death warrant is an official document which orders someone to be killed as a punishment.

The company signed its own death warrant by choosing to remain independent rather than going into partnership.

See sign the pledge

See also: death, warrant

sign on the dotted line

to formally agree to something by signing a legal document According to promoter Andrew James, the band has signed on the dotted line and will be playing at the Coliseum on November 2, 3 and 4.

See also: dot, line

sign/take the pledge  (humorous)

to decide that you are never going to drink alcohol again Why are you drinking Coke? Have you signed the pledge or something?

See also: pledge

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a sign of the times

something that shows what a society is like now Young people are so rude, but I guess it's just a sign of the times.

Usage notes: most often refers to negative characteristics

See also: times

sign (somebody) up also sign up somebody

to join or invite someone to join a group or organization Kathy signed up for the soccer team this year. The team signed him up for two years. Local officials worked to sign up students to the summer jobs program.

Usage notes: often used when someone puts their signature on an official document

See also: up

sign away something also sign something away

to give up your claim to something by writing your name on a document sign over something He tricked her into signing away the property that she intended to leave to her friend. You're signing your rights away when you sign that form.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form sign your life away (give up all your rights): It felt like we had to sign our lives away to get a loan from the bank.

See also: away

sign in

to write your name on an official list when entering a place Messengers are required to sign in at the front desk.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form sign someone in (to write someone's name on an official list when they enter a place): An elegantly dressed young woman signed us in at the door.

Opposite of: sign out

sign off

to end a television or radio broadcast Both news programs came on the air at 4:36 p.m. and both signed off at 4:59 p.m. What will the network air on Tuesdays now that one of its most popular programs is signing off?

sign off (on something)

to officially agree to or support something Mary has to sign off on any expenses over $2,500. A judge must sign off on a search of anyone's property. If all parties sign off, the settlement would end eight years of court battles.

Usage notes: often used when someone agrees to something by putting their signature on an official document

sign on the dotted line

to formally agree to something We signed on the dotted line Wednesday and will move into our new house next week.

Etymology: from the lines on a legal document where a person signs their name to show they agree to it

See also: dot, line

sign out

to write your name on an official list when leaving a place Make sure you sign out if you leave the office after 8 p.m.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form sign someone out ( to write someone's name on an official list when they leave a place): Can you sign me out, Mitch?

Opposite of: sign in

See also: out

sign over something also sign something over

to give up your rights to something by writing your name on a document sign away something He signed over his death benefits in exchange for cash. She agreed to sign the deed over to me.