smoke signal | Idiomator

Meaning: (often pluralized)A method oflong-distancecommunicationsometimes used inancientandundevelopedsocieties, consisting ofmessagesconveyed by means ofcolumnsorintermittentpuffsof smoke.; A message or sign sent by this method.1944, H. Lorna Bingham,Tuckonie's Warrior Friend, page33, column 2:"I have seen the first of thesmoke signals, Gulunna," he said, "Chief Bulla's tribes are on their way."1971, A. W. Lintott, “Lucan and the History of the Civil War”, inThe Classical Quarterly, volume21, number 2, page492:However, there are still signs of the careful study of sources—thesmoke-signalwhich brought Caesar news of the Pompeian escape (279; Caes.3.65.2) and the second fortification inside the camp which Caesar attacked (288; Caes.3.66.4-5).; (idiomatic,often pluralized)Anindirectmessage orindication, especially concerning afutureevent.1950September 11, “The Wooing of Mao”, inTime:By every kind of wigwag andsmoke signalin the language of diplomacy, the Administration seemed to be trying last week to tell Chinese Communist Boss Mao Tse-tung that he had nothing to worry about from the U.S.; A type offlareorcombustiondevice sometimes used as adistresssignal.1965March 12, “Operation Rescue”, inTime:A Huskie helicopter was whirring over the Gulf of Tonkin in search of Cullen when Vietnamese 1st Lieut. Nguyen Van Phu, who ditched his flaming Skyraider near the spot where the U.S. pilot went down, fired asmoke signalto attract its attention.

Examples:

EN: Sure glad you saw my smoke signal.
ES: Como tampoco mi ropa combina con vestidos de seda.
EN: Trying to make a smoke signal.
ES: Hace una señal de humo.
EN: I'll light a fire on the beach and send up a smoke signal. Maybe a fishing boat will pick us up in time for breakfast.
ES: Prenderé una hoguera en la playa y haré señales de humo, por si lo ven desde un pesquero en la pausa del desayuno.
EN: I got to send me up a smoke signal.
ES: Tengo que enviar señales de humo.
EN: Just send up a smoke signal and we'll spot it.
ES: Haced una señal de humo y nosotros la veremos.
EN: Make smoke signal.
ES: Haz la señal de humo.
EN: The smoke signal, Mr Averell.
ES: La señal de humo, Sr. Averell.
EN: He'II be able to see our smoke signal four miles away.
ES: Sera visible a cuatro millas de distancia.
EN: If his icy outlook ever cracks. If the grapevine here sends up the slightest smoke signal .. I'll let you know.
ES: Si su apariencia de hielo llega a resquebrajarse, si me llega alguna señal de humo, le avisaré.
EN: Our smoke signal's burning fine.
ES: Nuestra señal de humo les avisará.
EN: Anytime you need help, well, you just send up a smoke signal and I'll come a-running.
ES: Cada vez que necesite ayuda, bueno, simplemente envíe una señal de humo, y vendré corriendo.
EN: The smoke signal was the lifeline of the American Indian.
ES: La señal de humo era la línea de vida del indio americano.
EN: - We have to go tomorrow to the highest cliff and light a smoke signal to try and attract a ship.
ES: Tenemos que ir mañana al acantilado más alto y encender una señal de humo para intentar atraer un barco.
EN: I'll send Horace a smoke signal:
ES: Enviaré a Horace una señal de humo.
EN: I'll send up a smoke signal.
ES: Te haré una señal de humo.

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