what does "take a cue" mean?

ex-
Take your cue bro!
I should've taken a cue.

Answers

elliehd

17 Oct 2020

Featured answer

English (US)

@luckyall yes, that’s right. Although I will say, “take a hint” is much more common in everyday speech than “take your cue”. But they do mean essentially the same thing in this context:)

Highly-rated answerer

Was this answer helpful?

Share this question

Copy URL

elliehd

16 Oct 2020

English (US)

take a cue = to see how someone else is behaving and use it as an example (for your own behavior)

ex. If you don't know how to order food at a Korean restaurant, you should take your cue from the Koreans around you.
= If you don't know how to order food at a Korean restaurant, you should see how the Koreans around you are doing it and imitate their actions

Highly-rated answerer

Was this answer helpful?

luckyall

16 Oct 2020

Korean

@elliehd I heard it being used when someone doesnt do what the person is expected to do it from another person.

ex. when your friend wants to propose to a girl, please take your cue (to leave)

in that case, it doesnt have to do with following someone else's behavior, i think.

elliehd

17 Oct 2020

English (US)

@luckyall ah, that is another way of using it I suppose. I think in that situation I’d rather use cue as in “that was my cue (to leave),” but your example makes sense as well. Both what I explained above and what you’ve heard before are viable ways to use it

Highly-rated answerer

Was this answer helpful?

luckyall

17 Oct 2020

Korean

@elliehd thanks!

in that sesne, I assume that "to take your cue" has the meaning of "take a hint"(both mean that you have to do what is expected by another person)

if I don't leave the place when my friend is hinting to me that he wants to have a privacy with a girl, he could shout "take your cue!" in the back of his mind (instead of "take a hint!")
is that right?