at the sign (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

"At the sign" functions as a prepositional phrase in the English language.

Phonetic Transcription

/æt ðə saɪn/

Meaning and Usage

The phrase "at the sign" typically refers to a specific location where a notice, indication, or symbol exists. It can relate to physical signs, such as road signs, or metaphorical signs, indicating a point of context or relevance.

• Frequency of Use: The phrase is used fairly frequently in both oral and written contexts, particularly in directions or announcements.
• Context: It can be found in conversational and formal written English, especially in contexts involving navigation or guidance.

Example Sentences

1. "Meet me at the sign where the paths divide."
   (Encuéntrame en el signo donde se dividen los caminos.)

2. "There is a restaurant at the sign on the corner of the street."
   (Hay un restaurante en el signo en la esquina de la calle.)

3. "You will see a warning at the sign before you enter the park."
   (Verás una advertencia en el signo antes de entrar al parque.)

Idiomatic Expressions

While "at the sign" is not a standard idiomatic expression by itself, various phrases may include a similar context with the word "sign." Some common idiomatic expressions include:

• "Sign on the dotted line": Referring to signing a contract or agreement.

• "You must sign on the dotted line before the deal is finalized."
  (Debes firmar en la línea discontinua antes de que el acuerdo se finalice.)

• "A sign of the times": Indicating something characteristic of current trends or issues.

• "The popularity of smart devices is a sign of the times."
  (La popularidad de los dispositivos inteligentes es un signo de los tiempos.)

• "Signs of life": Indicating any evidence that someone is alive or active.

• "After hours of silence, we finally saw signs of life from the cabin."
  (Después de horas de silencio, finalmente vimos signos de vida desde la cabaña.)

Etymology

The phrase "at the sign" combines the preposition "at," which originates from Old English "æt," meaning "by" or "near," and "sign," which comes from Latin "signum," meaning "mark" or "indication."

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms: By the sign, at the marker, near the sign.
• Antonyms: Away from the sign, off the sign.