sign

noun

OPAL S

/saɪn/

Idioms

showing something

[countable, uncountable] an event, an action, a fact, etc. that shows that something exists, is happening or may happen in the future迹象；征兆；预兆 synonym indication

Looking back, I should have seen the signs.回想起来，我应该看到了迹象。
a clear/visible sign清晰的迹象；显而易见的征兆
an encouraging sign鼓舞人心的迹象
a positive sign正号
The fact that he didn't say ‘no’ immediately is a good sign.他没有马上拒绝，这是好兆头。
If I had noticed the warning signs, none of this would have happened.要是我当时注意到了那些危险苗头，这种事就一桩也不会发生。
Early signs point to business improving.早期迹象预示业务有所好转。
sign of somebody/something This move will be seen as a sign of weakness.这一举动会被看成是示弱。
Bankers say they can definitely detect signs of a recovery.银行家们说他们明显觉察到复苏的迹象。
Headaches may be a sign of stress.头痛可能是紧张的迹象。
There is no sign of John anywhere.哪儿都没有约翰的影子。
Soldiers swarmed the city looking for any sign of her.士兵们涌入城市寻找她的踪迹。
There was no sign of life in the house (= there seemed to be nobody there).那座房子没有一点住人的迹象。
Her work is showing some signs of improvement.她的工作出现了一些改进的迹象。
I hope this incident isn't a sign of things to come.我希望这件事不意味着将有大事发生。
Get this test if you have signs and symptoms of diabetes.如果有糖尿病的症状，就做这个检查。
He is reading the signs all wrong.他对标志的解读全错了。
at a sign of something Call the police at the first sign of trouble.一有闹事的苗头就叫警察。
sign of doing something The gloomy weather shows no sign of improving.阴沉的天气没有丝毫转晴的迹象。
sign of somebody/something doing something There is little sign of this happening in the immediate future.几乎没有迹象表明这种情况会在不久的将来发生。
sign (that)… If an interview is too easy, it's a sure sign that you haven't got the job.如果面试太简单，那必定表示你没得到那份工作。
There were no outward signs that anything was wrong.没有任何外在迹象表明有什么问题。

Synonyms signsignindication ▪ symptom ▪ symbol ▪ indicator ▪ signalThese are all words for an event, an action or a fact that shows that something exists, is happening or may happen in the future.sign an event, an action or a fact that shows that something exists, is happening or may happen in the future:

Headaches may be a sign of stress.头痛可能是紧张的迹象。

indication (rather formal) a remark or sign that shows that something is happening or what somebody is thinking or feeling:

They gave no indication as to how the work should be done.他们根本没说明这项工作该怎样做。

sign or indication?An indication often comes in the form of something that somebody says; a sign is usually something that happens or something that somebody does.symptom a change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy; a sign that something exists, especially something bad:

Symptoms include a sore throat.症状包括嗓子疼。
The rise in inflation was just one symptom of the poor state of the economy.通胀上升不过是经济不景气的一个征候。

symbol a person, an object or an event that represents a more general quality or situation:

The dove is a universal symbol of peace.鸽子普遍象征着和平。

indicator (rather formal) a sign that shows you what something is like or how a situation is changing:

the economic indicators经济指标

signal an event, an action or a fact that shows that something exists, is happening or may happen in the future:

Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems.胸部疼痛可能是心脏病的先兆。

sign or signal?Signal is often used to talk about an event, action or fact that suggests to somebody that they should do something. Sign is not usually used in this way: Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signs to criminals. Patterns

a(n) sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal of something
a(n) sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal that…
a clear sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal
an obvious sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator
an early sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal
an outward sign/indication/symbol
to give a(n) sign/indication/signal

Extra Examples

All the outward signs of growth in the market are there.市场增长的所有外部迹象都明摆着。
All the signs pointed to it being more than just a coincidence.所有的迹象表明这不仅仅是一个巧合。
Are appliances you buy safe? We point out the danger signs.你买的家用器具安全吗？我们指出一些危险征兆。
He spoke up without the slightest sign of nervousness.他高声说话，没有任何紧张的迹象。
His face betrayed no sign of emotion.他脸上毫无表情。
By now the fish was showing signs of distress.到了这时，这条鱼显露出痛苦的迹象。
I detected the subtle signs of disapproval.我觉察到一些微妙的征兆，有人可能会反对。
He displayed the classic signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.他表现出创伤后应激障碍的典型征兆。
Look carefully for signs of damp.仔细看看有没有受潮的迹象。
The first signs of spring appeared.春意萌动。
Strong dislikes of foods are early signs of pregnancy.特别讨厌一些食物是怀孕的早期征兆。
the telltale signs of drug abuse明显的吸毒迹象
The lack of interest in the media is a telling sign of the industry's health.人们对媒体兴趣寥寥，这足以说明传媒业的业态状况。
The murder had all the signs of a crime of passion.各种迹象表明这次谋杀是情杀。
We detected signs that they were less than enthusiastic about the holiday.我们发现的迹象表明他们对度假不是很感兴趣。

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

classic
clear
definite
…

verb + sign

bear
have
betray
…

sign + verb

appear
come
indicate something
…

preposition

at a/the sign
sign from
sign of
…

phrases

sign of life
a sign of the times
a sign of things to come
…

for information/warning

[countable] a piece of paper, wood or metal that has writing or a picture on it that gives you information, instructions, a warning, etc.招牌；标牌；指示牌；标志

to put up/post a sign竖起指示牌
to carry/hold a sign携带/持有标志
a street/stop sign路标；停车标志
a shop/pub sign商店／酒吧招牌
a traffic sign交通标志
The sign read ‘No Fishing’.标牌上写着“禁止垂钓”。
The sign on the wall said ‘Now wash your hands’.墙上的牌子上写着“请洗手”。
There was a 'Closed' sign in the window.窗户上挂着“已关闭”的牌子。
Follow the signs for the city centre.照标牌的指示到市中心。

movement/sound

[countable] a movement or sound that you make to tell somebody something示意的动作（或声音）；手势

He gave a thumbs-up sign (= to show approval/agreement).他竖起大拇指表示赞同。
sign from somebody She was waiting for some kind of sign from him.她在等待他的某种信号。
At a sign from her, the band would start to play.只要她一示意，乐队就会开始演奏。
as a sign of something He gave a slight bow as a sign of respect.他欠了欠身以示尊重。
sign to do something She shook her head in a desperate sign to tell the child to remain silent.她绝望地摇摇头，示意孩子保持沉默。
sign for somebody to do something She nodded as a sign for us to sit down.她点头示意我们坐下。
Three blasts on the whistle was the sign for visitors to leave.哨声三声，是游客离开的标志。
to make the sign of the cross (= an act of moving one hand in the shape of a cross, done by Christians to show respect for God or by a priest to bless somebody/something)画十字（= 移动一只手形成十字形的动作，由基督徒完成以表示对上帝的尊重，或由牧师完成以祝福某人/某事）

symbol

[countable] a mark used to represent something, especially in mathematics符号；记号

a plus/minus sign (= +/−)加号；减号
a dollar/pound sign (= $/£)美元／英镑的符号
sign for something the sign for ‘square root’“平方根”的符号

see also call sign, dollar sign, equals sign, pound sign

Extra Examples

I used the Chinese sign for ‘father’ instead of ‘uncle’.我用了汉字“父亲”而不是“叔叔”。
The wizard drew some strange signs in the air with his wand.巫师用魔杖在空中画了一些奇怪的符号。
What does this sign mean?这个符号的意思是什么？
a T-shirt with a peace sign on it印有和平标志的 T 恤衫

Topics Maths and measurementb1

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

dollar
euro
pound
…

verb + sign

draw
use

sign + verb

mean something

preposition

sign for

star sign

[countable] (informal) a star sign (= one of the twelve signs of the zodiac)一个星座（=黄道十二宫之一）

What sign are you?你是什么星座？

Extra Examples

Mars rules the zodiac sign of Aries.火星主白羊座。
people born under the sign of Gemini双子座的人
the twelve astrological signs12 星座

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

birth
star
astrological
…

verb + sign

be born under

preposition

sign of

phrases

the signs of the Zodiac

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French signe (noun), signer (verb), from Latin signum ‘mark, token’.

Idioms

a sign of the times

something that you feel shows what things are like now, especially how bad they are时代特征（含贬义）
- The increasing number of people owning guns is an alarming sign of the times.拥有枪支的人数不断增加是这个时代的一个令人震惊的迹象。

sign

verb

OPAL S

/saɪn/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they sign	/saɪn/ /saɪn/
he / she / it signs	/saɪnz/ /saɪnz/
past simple signed	/saɪnd/ /saɪnd/
past participle signed	/saɪnd/ /saɪnd/
-ing form signing	/ˈsaɪnɪŋ/ /ˈsaɪnɪŋ/

Idioms Phrasal Verbs

your name

[intransitive, transitive] to write your name on a document, letter, etc. to show that you have written it, that you agree with what it says, or that it is real签（名）；署（名）；签字；签署

Sign here, please.请在这里签名。
sign something to sign an agreement/a deal/a contract签署协议／协定／合同
to sign a document/statement/declaration/form签署文件／声明／公告／表格
to sign a petition/a bill/ an order签署请愿书/法案/命令
to sign a cheque在支票上签字
Sign your name here, please.请在这里签名。
You haven't signed the letter.这封信您还没有署名。
The treaty was signed on 24 March.条约是 3 月 24 日签订的。
The player was signing autographs for a group of fans.这名队员正在为一群球迷签名。
I'm going to his office now to sign the papers.我现在要去他的办公室签署文件。
The bill was signed into law by the president yesterday.该法案昨天由总统签署成为法律。
sign yourself + noun He signed himself ‘Jimmy’.他署名“吉米”。

Extra Examples

They were sacked for refusing to sign the new contracts.他们因拒绝签署新合同而被解雇。
The legislation has been signed by the president.该立法已由总统签署。
One copy of this letter should be duly signed and returned to us.请将这封信的一个副本及时签字后寄回给我们。
This is the contract you will be required to sign.这就是那份需要你签署的合同。
a first edition of the book, personally signed by the author由作者亲笔签名的这本书的第一版

Topics Discussion and agreementa2, Law and justicea2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

duly
formally
officially
…

verb + sign

be required to
have to
need to
…

preposition

contract

[transitive, intransitive] to arrange for somebody, for example a sports player or musician, to sign a contract agreeing to work for your company; to sign a contract agreeing to work for a company和…签约（达成雇佣关系）

sign somebody United have just signed a new goalie.联队最近和一名新守门员签约。
to sign a player和一名球员签约
sign for something He signed for United yesterday.昨天他和联队签了约。
sign with something The band signed with Virgin Records.乐队同维京唱片公司签了约。
sign (somebody) to something She was the first musician signed to the new record label.她是第一个跟这家新唱片公司签约的音乐家。

Topics Discussion and agreementc1

make movement/sound

[intransitive, transitive] sign that… to make a request or tell somebody to do something by using a sign, especially a hand movement示意；打手势 synonym signal

sign to somebody (to do something) The hotel manager signed to the porter to pick up my case.旅馆经理示意行李员替我拿箱子。
sign for somebody to do something The police officer signed for us to stop.警察示意我们停下来。
sign that… The police officer signed that we were to stop.警察示意我们停下来。
signsomebody to do something He signed his troops to move out.他签署了部队撤离令。

for deaf person

[intransitive, transitive] to use sign language to communicate with somebody打手语

She learnt to sign to help her deaf child.为帮助她耳聋的孩子，她学会了手语。
sign something An increasing number of plays are now being signed.现在越来越多的戏剧配上了手语。

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French signe (noun), signer (verb), from Latin signum ‘mark, token’.

Idioms

signed and sealed | signed, sealed and delivered

definite, because all the legal documents have been signed签名盖章完毕的；铁定的；成定局的
More Like This Alliteration in idioms
Alliteration in idioms
- belt and braces
- black and blue
- born and bred
- chalk and cheese
- chop and change
- done and dusted
- down and dirty
- in dribs and drabs
- eat somebody out of house and home
- facts and figures
- fast and furious
- first and foremost
- forgive and forget
- hale and hearty
- hem and haw
- kith and kin
- mix and match
- part and parcel
- puff and pant
- to rack and ruin
- rant and rave
- risk life and limb
- short and sweet
- signed and sealed
- spic and span
- through thick and thin
- this and that
- top and tail
- tried and tested
- wax and wane

sign on the dotted line

(informal) to sign a document to show that you have agreed to buy something or do something在签字处签上姓名（表示同意）；签名同意
- Just sign on the dotted line and the car is yours.只要在虚线上签名，这车就归你了。
Topics Discussion and agreementc2

sign/take the pledge

(old-fashioned) to make a promise never to drink alcohol发誓戒酒