Collocations for sign - noun
1. 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.
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.
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.
He was silent. It was a good sign.
bad, disturbing | danger, ominous, warning
Are appliances you buy safe? We point out the danger signs.
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.
The murder had all the signs of a crime of passion.
exhibit, display, give, show
By now the fish was showing signs of distress.
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.
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.
Look carefully for signs of damp.
point out
SIGN + VERB
appear, come
The first signs of spring appeared.
The first signs of spring appeared.
indicate sth, point to sth
All the signs pointed to it being more than just a coincidence.
All the signs pointed to it being more than just a coincidence.
PREP.
at a/the ~
He disappeared at the first sign of trouble.
He disappeared at the first sign of trouble.
from ~
The villages regarded the earthquake as a sign from God.
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).
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.
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.
He spoke up without the slightest sign of nervousness.
2. 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.
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.
Just follow the signs for Bridgend.
SIGN + VERB
read sth, say sth
The sign read ‘No Fishing’.
The sign read ‘No Fishing’.
indicate sth
This sign indicates that cycling is allowed.
This sign indicates that cycling is allowed.
point
The sign pointed down a small lane.
The sign pointed down a small lane.
advertise sth | warn
signs warning against trespass
signs warning against trespass
flash
A neon sign flashed above the door.
A neon sign flashed above the door.
PREP.
~ for/to
Follow the road and you''ll see signs for the turn-off.
Follow the road and you''ll see signs for the turn-off.
3. movement with a particular meaning
ADJ.
frantic | rude | thumbs-up, V
VERB + SIGN
give (sb), make
She gave me a thumbs-up sign.
She gave me a thumbs-up sign.
communicate through
They had to communicate through signs and grunts.
They had to communicate through signs and grunts.
SIGN + NOUN
language, system
PREP.
~ for
the sign for ‘woman’ in sign language
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.
The priest made the sign of the cross over the dead body.
4. 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.
The wizard drew some strange signs in the air with his wand.
use
I used the Chinese sign for ‘father’ instead of ‘uncle’.
I used the Chinese sign for ‘father’ instead of ‘uncle’.
SIGN + VERB
mean sth
What does this sign mean?
What does this sign mean?
PREP.
~ for
I can''t remember the sign for ‘square root’.
I can''t remember the sign for ‘square root’.
5. star sign
ADJ.
birth, star
VERB + SIGN
be born under
PREP.
~ of
people born under the sign of Gemini
people born under the sign of Gemini
PHRASES
the signs of the Zodiac