smoke signals

smoke signals

Indications that something is the case or is likely to happen. If the smoke signals are to be believed, a peace agreement could be signed by the end of the week. We're just awaiting smoke signals from the board of directors before we move on the expansion.
See also: signal, smoke
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

smoke signals

Smoke signals are signs or suggestions that something might be happening or going to happen. The smoke signals coming out of the White House suggest that the President will sign the treaty. Recent economic smoke signals would indicate that the economy began to pick up in May. Note: Smoke signals are columns of smoke which were used to send messages over long distances, for example by Native American tribes.
See also: signal, smoke
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • read the (hand)writing on the wall
  • read the handwriting on the wall
  • see the (hand)writing on the wall
  • see the writing on the wall
  • smoke (someone or something) out of (some place)
  • smoke out of
  • smoke someone/something out, to
  • smoke out
  • hotbox
  • hotboxing
References in periodicals archive
"Smoke Signals" is an interesting track where Miley did not do the rap part but the singing part.
Listen to Miley's Sexiest Track Ever - New Song 'Smoke Signals' with Rapper Buddy [VIDEO]
Smoke Signals adapts the Hollywood road/buddy genre to tell the story of two Coeur d'Alene young men, Victor Joseph (Adam Beach, Salteaux) and Thomas Builds-the-Fire (Evan Adams, Coast Salish).
Remembering Smoke Signals: interviews with Chris Eyre and Sherman Alexie
This article is taken from a presentation made to the Smoke Signals workshop run by the Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists in February 2006.
Nicotine addiction
Maybe you really are so stuck in the past that you sent your letter to the GDN by carrier pigeon or smoke signals, or maybe your friend's request just keep getting ignored.
Stuck in the past
For my sixtieth, I hope to get smoke signals that George is to appear before the International War Crimes Tribunal.
Happy returns
Without PM, you'll be reduced to sending smoke signals on the modern battlefield.
High-falutin' commo still needs down-and-dirty PM
It has been clear for some time, from the jungle drums here and the smoke signals visible from Whitehall, the Government wants to pilot their new scheme here.
Birmingham Post Comment: Price of progress
* I am amazed and Consoled by the courage of the Chicago group who sent up pink smoke signals to remind the cardinals about the exclusion of women in our church (NCR, April 29).
Pink smoke
SMOKE SIGNALS The search for active chemicals in smoke has kept several labs busy.
Smokey the gardener: fire begets flowers, but heat often has nothing to do with it
KELVIN[R] has an exclusive contract for Rube Goldberg[R] Machine Contest materials and for the Harvard University-developed Project ComTech Trainer, "From Smoke Signals to Fiber Optics".
Kelvin[R]'s
From the Supply Chain Council's perspective, jokes Stephens, "in some respects it's immaterial whether you use IT or smoke signals or kettle drums.
What's new in automotive supply chains? Although technology is an enabler, better business practices are resulting in better supply chains these days. Here's a look
Among vital topics covered are: Shelters (my favorite section), Signals (Peter's demonstration of smoke signals is impressive), and Fire.
NBEF video teaches survival. (Bowhunter's Journal)
From stone carvings, smoke signals and Pony Express mail to mechanical doorbell systems for visitor annunciation, Morse code for the military, sign-language for the deaf, brail for the blind to telephone systems for homes and businesses, wireless pagers and PDA's for ones on the move as well as the ever popular "cellular phone" for the everyday person.
Communication systems make the world go around
After the success of Statue Of Liberty in Tuesday's Coventry Stakes, the smoke signals suggested that it was just a matter of going down and coming back for the Seattle Slew colt.
Helm Bank gains narrow verdict over Tomahawk
With Grand Avenue for television and Smoke Signals for cinema, we got a more complicated picture of what it means to be American Indian.
Can't travel? Try Native film