cue from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cue from" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use "cue from" when describing how someone or something is influenced or inspired by another person or thing. It can also indicate taking direction or guidance from someone or something. Example sentence: "The fashion designer took her cue from the vibrant colors of nature for her latest collection." This means that the fashion designer was inspired by nature's colors and used them as a reference for her collection. Another example: "The team took their cue from the coach's motivational speech and went on to win the championship." This means that the team was influenced and motivated by the coach's speech, which helped them achieve victory.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Taking a cue from the Yahoo C.E.O.

The New Yorker

We took our cue from that.

The New York Times

You take your cue from the material.

The New York Times

And they're taking their cue from you".

The New Yorker

Gabrielle Chanel took her cue from British sportswear.

The New York Times - Arts

His desserts also take a cue from tradition.

The New York Times

We should take our cue from the composer.

The Guardian - Music

Grilled calamari ($8), a newcomer, takes its cue from Asia.

The New York Times - Food

The commission can take its cue from those efforts.

The New York Times

Simon McBurney takes his cue from the music.

The New York Times

Taking my cue from others, I also said nothing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase is versatile and can be used for both human behavior (e.g. 'taking a cue from the leader') and inanimate inspiration (e.g. 'the design takes its cue from nature').

Common error

Do not write 'queue from'. While 'cue' refers to a signal or prompt, a 'queue' is a sequence or a line of people waiting. Even though they are homophones, 'queue' does not fit the context of receiving a signal or inspiration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cue from" typically functions as part of a prepositional phrase or an idiomatic verb object construction (e.g. "take a cue from"). In these instances, it serves to link an action or a creative decision to its primary catalyst. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity across numerous high-authority texts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cue from" is an essential idiomatic tool for expressing influence and inspiration. With 59 verified examples in the Ludwig database, it is most commonly found in the expression "take a cue from". This construction is favored by high-tier publications like The New York Times and The Guardian for its ability to concisely explain behavioral or creative sourcing. Users should be careful to avoid the common homophone error with "queue" and ensure they are using "cue" to signify a signal or prompt. Whether describing a politician following public sentiment or a designer looking to nature, "cue from" remains a precise and professional choice for modern English writers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspiration from

focuses more on creative motivation rather than just behavioral signaling

lead from

implies following someone else's initiative or authority more directly

guidance from

suggests a more formal or intentional instructional relationship

modeled on

describes a structural replication of a specific system or design

signal from

refers more literally to a prompt or data point that triggers an action

influence from

is broader and can include unconscious or passive shaping of ideas

direction from

implies receiving specific orders or mapped-out instructions

patterned after

focuses on following a recurring arrangement or aesthetic style

hint from

suggests reacting to a subtle or indirect piece of information

example of

functions as a noun phrase identifying the source as a archetype

FAQs

How do I use "cue from" in a sentence?

You can use it to show where an idea or behavior originated. For example: "The architect took a "cue from" traditional Japanese homes."

What can I say instead of "cue from"?

Depending on the context, you might use "inspiration from", "guidance from", or "modeled after".

Is it "take a cue from" or "take a queue from"?

The correct spelling is always "take a cue from". "Queue" refers to a line or a waiting list and is incorrect in this idiomatic context.

What is the difference between "cue from" and "lead from"?

While ""cue from"" suggests reacting to a specific signal or example, "lead from" usually implies following a person's active authority or initiative.