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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary

On cue

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What does "on cue" mean here?

When Jessica Jochim returned to work after her three-month maternity leave, she was the envy of her co-workers at Babies “R” Us. Mrs. Jochim, who had gained 18 kilograms carrying her first child, steadily slimmed until she was a size 4 again. Yet, exercise was a pre-baby relic. She wasn’t dieting, either. In fact, every two hours, she snacked as if on cue.
  

Top answer

A "cue" in this context is a signal that an action is required--such as an actor on a stage beginning a line after a certain phrase is said. "As if on cue" essentially means that it was occurring regularly, as though a signal were being provided, when in fact no such signal existed. This phrase also comes in handy when something occurs while or immediately after being talked about.

  • A "cue" in this context is a signal that an action is required--such as an actor on a stage beginning a line after a certain phrase is said.
  • "As if on cue" essentially means that it was occurring regularly, as though a signal were being provided, when in fact no such signal existed.
  • This phrase also comes in handy when something occurs while or immediately after being talked about.
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2 Answers
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A "cue" in this context is a signal that an action is required--such as an actor on a stage beginning a line after a certain phrase is said. "As if on cue" essentially means that it was occurring regularly, as though a signal were being provided, when in fact no such signal existed.

This phrase also comes in handy when something occurs while or immediately after being talked about. For
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As though she were responding to a pre-rehearsed signal to snack.

Actors wait for their cues to say their lines. Trained animals respond to cues when they are doing their tricks.

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