1
general::
sign
[ countable ] an event, fact etc that shows that something is happening or that something is true or exists:
• The curtains were still drawn and there was no sign of activity. • A score of 80 or more is a sign that you are doing very well.
indication
[ countable ] a sign. Indication is more formal than sign:
• Recently there have been several indications of improving relations. • There was no indication the killings were related to the drug trade.
evidence
[ uncountable ] facts or signs that show clearly that something exists or is true, especially something that you are trying to prove:
• Scientists are hoping to find evidence that there was once life on Mars. • There was not enough evidence to convict him of the murder.
symptom
[ countable ] a sign that someone has an illness or that a serious problem exists:
• The first symptoms are tiredness and loss of weight. • Is this a symptom of the decay of Western civilization?
indicator
[ countable ] a sign that shows you what is happening or what is true – used about a process, or about the state or level of something:
• There are a number of indicators of economic slowdown. • The tests are considered a good indicator of intelligence.
signal
[ countable ] a sign that shows that you should do something, or that you have a particular attitude:
• Severe chest pain is a warning signal that cannot be ignored. • Legalizing drugs could send the wrong signal to young people.
mark
[ countable ] a sign, especially that you respect or honour someone:
• People stood in silence as a mark of respect. • It was a mark of her popularity that so many colleagues and friends attended the presentation.
Longman-Thesaurus
2
general::
sign sth away
[ M ]
to give up your rights to something by signing a legal document
• Under the treaty, both sides will sign away a third of their nuclear weapons., sign on
1. UK informal to sign a form at a government office to say that you do not have a job and that you want to receive Jobseeker's Allowance (= money paid by the government to unemployed people trying to find work) , sign off
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
2. UK informal to report to a government employment office that you now have a job and do not need to receive Jobseeker's Allowance , sign (sb) in
to sign your name or the name of someone who is visiting you in a book on arrival at a building such as an office or hotel
• New security measures require all visitors to sign in at reception and wear a visitor's badge., sign (sb) out
to sign your name in a book on leaving a building such as an office or factory, or to write someone else's name in a book when they leave after visiting it
• Don't forget to sign out before you leave., sign on
2. mainly US ( UK sign up ) to agree to become involved in an organized activity
• [ + to infinitive ]: Mainly US I've signed on to help at the school fair., sign off
STOP WORK
1. US informal to stop doing your work or a similar activity for a period of time
• As it's Friday, I think I'll sign off early today., sign (sth) off
to give a final message at the end of a letter or when communicating by radio, or at the end of a television or radio programme
• She signed off (her show) by wishing her listeners a Happy New Year., sign for/with sb
(in sport) to sign a formal agreement saying that you will play for a particular team , sign sth over
[ M ]
to give the legal rights to something or the ownership of something to someone else by formally signing a document
• Two years before her death she signed her property over to her children., sign up
to agree to become involved in an organized activity
• [ + to infinitive ]: I've signed up to do the teas at the village fête.
• She's signed up for evening classes at the community college.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
4
general::
noun sth that shows that sth exists/may happen ADJ. clear, definite, distinct, obvious, real, sure, telltale, unmistakable | external, outward, visible All the outward signs of growth in the market are there. | tangible | early, first Strong likes or dislikes of various foods are another of the early signs of pregnancy. | increasing | encouraging, good, healthy, hopeful, positive, welcome He was silent. It was a good sign. | bad, disturbing | danger, ominous, warning Are appliances you buy safe? We point out the danger signs. VERB + SIGN bear, have The murder had all the signs of a crime of passion. | exhibit, display, give, show By now the fish was showing signs of distress. | detect, find, see, watch out for We detected signs that they were less than enthusiastic about the holiday. | interpret (sth as), read, recognize, see sth as | look for Look carefully for signs of damp. | point out SIGN + VERB appear, come The first signs of spring appeared. | indicate sth, point to sth All the signs pointed to it being more than just a coincidence. PREP. at a/the ~ He disappeared at the first sign of trouble. | from ~ The villages regarded the earthquake as a sign from God. | ~ of PHRASES sign of life There was no sign of life in the house (= there seemed to be nobody there). | a sign of the times It's a real sign of the times: 30 small businesses face financial ruin this month. | little/no/not the least/not the slightest sign (of sb/sth) He spoke up without the slightest sign of nervousness. board, etc. giving information/a warning ADJ. flashing, illuminated | neon | handwritten, painted | exit | inn, pub, shop, street | direction, road, traffic | ‘Stop’ | warning | ‘For sale’, ‘No Smoking’, ‘To let’ VERB + SIGN erect, hang out/up, hold up, put up Some of the marchers were holding up signs and placards. Someone had put up a ‘For Sale’ sign. | see | read | follow Just follow the signs for Bridgend. SIGN + VERB read sth, say sth The sign read ‘No Fishing’. | indicate sth This sign indicates that cycling is allowed. | point The sign pointed down a small lane. | advertise sth | warn signs warning against trespass | flash A neon sign flashed above the door. PREP. ~ for/to Follow the road and you'll see signs for the turn-off. movement with a particular meaning ADJ. frantic | rude | thumbs-up, V VERB + SIGN give (sb), make She gave me a thumbs-up sign. | communicate through They had to communicate through signs and grunts. SIGN + NOUN language, system PREP. ~ for the sign for ‘woman’ in sign language PHRASES make the sign of the cross The priest made the sign of the cross over the dead body. mark/symbol with a particular meaning ADJ. euro, pound, etc. | equals, minus, plus, etc. VERB + SIGN draw, make The wizard drew some strange signs in the air with his wand. | use I used the Chinese sign for ‘father’ instead of ‘uncle’. SIGN + VERB mean sth What does this sign mean? PREP. ~ for I can't remember the sign for ‘square root’. star sign ADJ. birth, star VERB + SIGN be born under PREP. ~ of people born under the sign of Gemini PHRASES the signs of the Zodiac, verb ADV. duly One copy of this letter should be duly signed and returned to us. | formally | personally a first edition of the book, personally signed by the author VERB + SIGN be required to, have to This is the contract you will be required to sign. | ask sb to, persuade sb to | agree to | refuse to PREP. for The postman asked me to sign for the parcel.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
5
general::
sign
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + sign
a clear/obvious/unmistakable sign
• There are clear signs of a slowdown in economic growth.
a sure sign
(= a very clear sign )
• He was walking up and down, a sure sign that he was worried.
a good/positive/encouraging/hopeful sign
• If she can move her legs, that’s a good sign.
a bad/ominous sign
• The jury was taking ages to make up its mind, which he felt was probably a bad sign.
an outward/visible sign
(= one that people can see clearly )
• Kim received the news without showing any visible sign of emotion.
a warning sign
(= one that shows something bad might be happening )
• In this case, social workers missed the warning signs and failed to protect the children.
a telltale/tell-tale sign
(= signs that clearly show something bad )
• She would not look at me directly, a tell-tale sign that she was embarrassed.
the first sign of something
(= the first thing that shows something is happening, or something exists )
• They ran off at the first sign of trouble.
an early sign
(= a sign near the beginning of something that shows that it is happening, or that it exists )
• an early sign of spring
verbs
there are signs
• There are now signs of an improvement in the economy.
have signs
• It had all the signs of a crime of passion.
show signs of something
• Did she show any signs of distress?
bear signs of something
(= have signs )
• The bed was neatly made and bore no signs of having been slept in.
see/detect signs of something
• I could see some signs of improvement in her health.
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