high sign

noun

1. a gesture, glance, or facial expression used as a surreptitious signal to warn, admonish, or inform.

Word History and Origins

Origin of high sign¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Idioms and Phrases

A secret signal intended to warn or inform, as in Dad gave us the high sign when it was time to leave . This expression presumably alludes to a gesture such as a hand wave. [c. 1900]

Example Sentences

He's just waiting for the required high sign from his hand-picked pardon and parole board.

From Salon

"And from then on, whenever I needed to, I would give him a high sign and I would go take care of it," she shared.

From Fox News

And they are forever stepping over black voters while giving the high sign to white ones, like a married man winking and mouthing “call me” to some other woman while his wife is standing there.

From Seattle Times

Luckily, the All-Star Game is only awarded after a city and its team owner give the high sign: Our grand stadium project is pretty much finished.

From Washington Post

The high sign arrives; the interview is over.

From The Guardian