take cue from

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.

See also: cue, take

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take your cue from somebody/something also take a cue from somebody/something

to be strongly influenced by someone or something else The national assembly takes its cue from the president and seldom challenges her policies. His new tunes take their cues from the music of Africa and Cuba.

See also: cue, take