dots and dashes
Telegraph code elements
Dots and dashes are the short and long signals that make up Morse code—dots being brief pulses, dashes being longer ones.
The phrase often stands in for Morse code itself or any system of binary-like communication: The message came through in dots and dashes.
Sometimes used figuratively for fragmented or cryptic communication.
- morse codeDot-dash alphabet system
- long and shortComplete summary, all details
- codeSymbolic communication system
- telegraphElectrical message system
- telegraph operatorTransmits coded wire messages
signal · beep · communication · tap · tapping out · rhythm · SOS · dot dot dot · transmit · radio · radio waves · wireless · operator · message · secret message · encode · decode · punctuation
- telegraphytelegraph, Morse code, telegraphy, telegraph key, telegraph line
- wireless telegraphywireless telegraphy, radiotelegraphy, wireless telegraph, Morse code, spark gap
- pairspair, pairs, two, duo, duos
dots and dashesletters
Alphabetic characters or mail
alphabet · plain text · Roman letters · script · glyphs
dots and dashesplain language
Easily understood communication
clear speech · plain English · natural language · spoken word · vernacular