cue up

USAGE SUMMARY

"cue up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a verb which means to prepare (usually audio or video content) for immediate playback. Example: Before the presentation, I had to cue up the video so that it would be ready to play.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Just cue up some sour songs.

The New Yorker

Gilroy asks him to cue up more footage from Rome.

The New Yorker

On second thought, let's cue up Joseph Brodsky: "Would you like to meet Mr. Frost?

The New York Times - Books

Either way, it's time to cue up the first playlist of the day.

The Guardian - Travel

Cue up "Love Is Strange" and the punch line, "It's a little monster".

The New York Times

"If Ingerland go through can we cue up delusional mass hysteria once again?" asks Kevin Dev.

The Guardian - Sport

Or the computer might cue up some other parable about apples.

The New Yorker

You can also cue up several videos to play in sequence.

The New York Times - Tech

So cue up the protests, and pay no attention to people counseling rational and mature behavior.

The New York Times

Soon the image and sound froze, sending Mr. Neely dashing across the room to cue up another stream.

The New York Times

The app can then be used to cue up image downloads from a computer, if you're a Shutterstock customer.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cue up" when you specifically want to convey the idea of preparing media, such as a song or video, for immediate playback. For example: "I'll cue up the presentation while you get the projector ready."

Common error

Avoid using "cue up" in situations where you simply mean 'prepare' or 'start' in a general sense. Reserve it for contexts involving setting up audio or video for playback. Don't say "Cue up the meeting", instead say "Prepare for the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cue up" is that of a phrasal verb. It typically functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the media or action being prepared). As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is used to prepare (usually audio or video content) for immediate playback. The Ludwig examples demonstrate this clearly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cue up" is a very common phrasal verb used to describe the action of preparing media for immediate playback. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its usage is widespread across various domains, particularly in News & Media. To use this phrase effectively, remember that it should be reserved for contexts involving audio or video content and not be used as a generic substitute for 'prepare'. The provided examples and related phrases offer further guidance on its appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepare for playback

Focuses specifically on the action of getting media ready to play.

set up for playing

Emphasizes the setup or arrangement aspect before playing something.

get ready to start

Highlights the readiness for commencement of an activity.

prepare in advance

Stresses the proactive preparation aspect.

arrange to play

Focuses on organizing and setting up for playback.

organize for immediate use

Highlights the organization aspect for immediate application.

load in preparation

Refers to loading or inputting data or media in anticipation of use.

get something primed

Indicates the action of getting something ready or in optimal condition.

set in motion

Highlights the initiation or launch of an action or process.

bring something to readiness

Emphasizes the action of making something ready for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How to use "cue up" in a sentence?

You can use "cue up" to describe preparing a specific piece of media for playback. For example, "Can you "cue up" the next song on the playlist?"

What can I say instead of "cue up"?

You can use alternatives like "prepare for playback", "set up for playing", or "get ready to start" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cue up" or "queue up"?

"Cue up" specifically refers to preparing media for playback. "Queue up" refers to joining a line or sequence.

What's the difference between "cue up" and "play"?

"Cue up" means to prepare something to be played, while "play" means to actually start the media or performance. You cue up a song before you play it.