signal (redirected from signals)

bell, book, and candle things that are miraculous or that signal that something

unusual or bizarre may soon happen. (Alluding originally to the items used when performing the rite of excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church.) Look, I can't work miracles! Do you expect me to show up at your house with bell, book, and candle, and make everything right? You have to take charge of your own destiny! On the top shelf of the tiny used-book store, Jim saw a bell, book, and candle sitting in a row, and he knew he was going to find some very interesting reading material.

See also: and, candle, miraculous, thing

signal (to) someone (to do something)

[for someone] to give someone a command or instruction using a signal. The traffic cop signaled me to stop. The state trooper signaled the driver to pull over to the side of the road.

signal for someone

to make a sign for someone to come. I signaled for the waiter and got the check. Ted signaled for the parking lot attendant.

signal for something

to make a sign that something should be done. I caught the waiter's eye and signaled for the check. The director signaled for applause.

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smoke signals

a sign that something is probably going to happen All the smoke signals from Downing Street indicate that the taxpayer will have to pay up again. Conflicting smoke signals are coming from the the peace talks, and it is impossible to say how they are going.

See also: smoke

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send a signal

to do something that is likely to influence someone's attitudes or behavior send a message The people in Pennsylvania sent a signal in this election that they wanted health-care reform. Making polluters pay to recycle old electronics products sends a strong signal to the companies to change the way they do business.

Usage notes: said about actions whether they are intentional or not

See also: send