take a cue from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a cue from" is an idiom, and an appropriate use of the phrase in written English would be: "Young writers should take a cue from seasoned authors and focus on crafting compelling narratives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sears can take a cue from Marvel.

Harvard Business Review

His desserts also take a cue from tradition.

The New York Times

Take a cue from the talk show host Ellen Degeneres.

The New York Times

Regulators, perhaps, should take a cue from cigarette packaging.

The New York Times

Take a cue from Hemingway: get super-wasted every day.

The New Yorker

Maybe the American government could take a cue from Canada.

The New York Times

But first Ms. Fine will take a cue from Shakespeare.

The New York Times

Take a cue from Martha Stewart and serve this on slices of Carrot Bread.

The Washington Post

Our leaders, perhaps, should take a cue from his sang-froid.

The New Yorker

Take a cue from the restaurant's name and head right for the steaks.

The New York Times

Morgan's reply was non-committal, but she and Powell should take a cue from him.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a cue from", ensure the subject you're referencing is widely understood or briefly explained to provide clear context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "take a cue from" when you intend to describe a completely new or original idea. This phrase implies adapting an existing concept, not inventing one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a cue from" functions as an idiomatic expression, suggesting that one should imitate or derive inspiration from a particular source. Ludwig examples show its broad application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "take a cue from" is a widely used phrase that suggests learning or imitating a particular behavior or strategy. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears most frequently in news and business contexts. To ensure clarity, provide context when using this phrase to reference a model. Consider "draw inspiration from" or "follow the example of" as alternative phrases. With an expert rating of 4.6, this phrase is recommended for its clarity and consistent usage across authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take inspiration from

Similar to 'draw inspiration', but emphasizes the act of receiving an impulse or stimulus.

follow the example of

Highlights the act of adhering to a specific model or precedent.

draw inspiration from

Emphasizes the act of gaining creative or motivational ideas.

adopt the approach of

Focuses on mirroring a method or strategy used by someone else.

learn from

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge or skills through observation and experience.

model after

Suggests creating something based on an existing design or pattern.

emulate

Implies a direct attempt to imitate or copy someone's behavior or actions.

mirror

Implies a close resemblance or imitation in behavior or characteristics.

get ideas from

Suggests obtaining thoughts or suggestions.

copy

Indicates a direct and often exact replication of something.

FAQs

How can I use "take a cue from" in a sentence?

Use "take a cue from" to suggest imitating or learning from someone's behavior or a particular situation. For example, "Retailers should "take a cue from" Nordstrom's excellent customer service."

What does "take a cue from" mean?

The phrase "take a cue from" means to get an idea or inspiration from someone or something; to imitate or follow their example.

Which is correct, "take a cue from" or "take a clue from"?

The correct phrase is "take a cue from", meaning to get a hint or inspiration from someone or something. "Take a clue from" is less common and might imply gathering information to solve a problem.

What can I say instead of "take a cue from"?

Alternatives include "draw inspiration from", "follow the example of", or "learn from", depending on the context.