send up smoke signals

To "send up smoke signals" is an idiom used to describe the act of communicating intentions, warnings, or messages, often indirectly or ahead of a formal announcement. Historically, the phrase references a form of long-distance visual communication used by ancient cultures globally—including in China and Greece—but most specifically associated in the North American lexicon with Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

From a linguistic perspective, the term is often used casually to mean "signaling intent." However, its acceptability is contested. Critics and inclusive language guides argue that the idiom relies on stereotypes of Native Americans, often rooted in "cowboys and Indians" tropes found in film and literature. Opponents of the term suggest that it trivializes a specific cultural practice or treats Indigenous history as a caricature. Conversely, speakers who use the term often view it as a standardized figure of speech that has become detached from its specific historical or ethnic origins.

Example:
"The Federal Reserve sent up smoke signals yesterday suggesting that interest rates would remain unchanged."

Example:
"We need to send up some smoke signals to the marketing team so they aren't surprised by the product launch delay."