English idiom

sign of the times

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

an event or development that reveals what a particular era is like

Word picture

A visible event is pictured as a sign displaying the character of the period around it.

Example

“Seeing three delivery robots on one block felt like a sign of the times.”

Dictionary details

Component words

sign times

Tags

change
time

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

sign on the dotted line

to commit yourself formally by signing an agreement

full circle

back to the original position or state after a series of changes

in the offing

expected to happen or become available soon

bright and early

at the very start of the morning

early bird

someone who prefers beginning the day before most other people

hang on a minute

used to ask someone to wait, or to express surprise or objection

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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