Actions

Action

Potential Symbolism / Meaning

1. Leaving car door open

Ongoing activity; invitation or readiness.

2. Dropping a shoe

Marking a change or warning.

3. Adjusting rearview mirror

Surveillance or signaling observation.

4. Placing keys on top of the car

Signaling surrender or handoff.

5. Tapping a table three times

Confirmation or alert.

6. Flipping a light switch rapidly

Start/stop signal.

7. Leaving a window partially open

Indicating vulnerability or access.

8. Crossing arms

Defensive posture; awaiting orders.

9. Pacing back and forth

Impatience or tension.

10. Scratching ear or nose

Signal to proceed or continue.

11. Dropping an umbrella

Alerting others discreetly.

12. Leaving bag unattended

Decoy or bait action.

13. Waving with only two fingers

Identifying oneself to insiders.

14. Drinking water without swallowing

Hesitation or doubt.

15. Knocking twice, then once

Code for entry permission.

16. Spilling coffee accidentally

Intentional distraction.

17. Putting hands in pockets

Concealment or readiness.

18. Adjusting a hat brim

Signal of presence or agreement.

19. Dropping a pen

Marking someone or something.

20. Standing with legs crossed

Relaxed signal or delay tactic.

21. Yawning loudly

Signal to initiate action.

22. Opening car trunk halfway

Partial compliance or readiness.

23. Walking in a zig-zag pattern

Evasive movement or testing pursuit.

24. Leaving sunglasses on indoors

Concealing identity or surveillance.

25. Turning off a phone abruptly

Ending communication without warning.

26. Tying shoelaces twice

Hidden confirmation of task completion.

27. Adjusting watch frequently

Time-sensitive mission or stress.

28. Dropping a business card

Indicating someone’s involvement.

29. Placing a coin on a surface

Exchange or marker.

30. Whispering while looking away

Avoiding eavesdropping.

31. Putting a book face down

Temporary interruption or pending task.

32. Snapping fingers

Calling attention or commanding.

33. Tugging on sleeve

Request for assistance or cue to stop.

34. Licking lips

Nervousness or readiness to speak.

35. Tossing a jacket over the shoulder

Departure or end of conversation.

36. Holding phone to ear without talking

False signal or surveillance disguise.

37. Rubbing chin

Deep thought or suspicion.

38. Crossing fingers

Secretive hope or deception.

39. Tapping foot repeatedly

Nervousness or hidden impatience.

40. Leaving chair pulled out

Invitation or open invitation.

41. Folding arms behind back

Control or authority stance.

42. Tipping a drink

Offering allegiance or truce.

43. Leaning against a wall

Passive observation or readiness.

44. Putting earphones in but not playing music

Blocking engagement.

45. Placing jacket on another chair

Reserving space or marking territory.

46. Moving hands under the table

Concealed action or exchange.

47. Lifting toilet seat after flushing

Coded response or signal of completion.

48. Holding doors open intentionally

Delaying or waiting for confirmation.

49. Adjusting belt repeatedly

Signaling discomfort or threat.

50. Tapping glass with a spoon

Announcing presence or alert.

51. Tying a scarf loosely

Sign of recognition.

52. Folding napkin into a triangle

Preparing for coded conversation.

53. Leaving a newspaper behind

Dropping a message or clue.

54. Scratching head excessively

Confusion or intentional signaling.

55. Turning a chair around

Changing stance or tone in dialogue.

56. Pointing with index finger downward

Directive to stop or stay put.

57. Blowing on hands

Preparing for action or delay.

58. Spitting on the ground

Disrespect or ending an engagement.

59. Cracking knuckles

Anticipation of conflict.

60. Adjusting shoe before walking

Indicating readiness or start.

61. Holding a cigarette but not lighting

Waiting for signal or approval.

62. Placing spoon on side of cup

Concluding interaction.

63. Picking lint off clothes

Feigned disinterest or distraction.

64. Dropping backpack intentionally

Signaling readiness or marker.

65. Resting feet on table

Display of dominance.

66. Leaving phone face down

Hiding communication.

67. Whispering in someone’s ear

Passing sensitive information.

68. Winking

Inside joke or mutual recognition.

69. Walking backward briefly

Hesitation or second thoughts.

70. Wrapping hands around object

Possessiveness or control.

71. Tossing keys between hands

Impatience or anxiety.

72. Repeatedly clicking pen

Nervousness or distraction signal.

73. Placing objects in straight lines

Indicating order or OCD tendencies.

74. Leaving cap off a pen

Incomplete task or hidden intention.

75. Opening and closing book

Indecision or hidden message.

76. Wiping hands on pants

Anxiety or attempt to hide something.

77. Turning off car lights early

Avoiding detection or signaling completion.

78. Standing with one foot raised

Ready to leave or change direction.

79. Removing watch and placing it down

Ending time-sensitive operation.

80. Giving a thumbs-up but looking away

Insincere approval or forced consent.

81. Smiling without showing teeth

Feigned politeness or fake emotions.

82. Slamming a drawer

End of discussion or frustration.

83. Folding arms and shifting weight

Displeasure or impatience.

84. Dropping glasses or sunglasses

Ending engagement or changing tone.

85. Standing in doorway

Blocking or holding position.

86. Turning back to audience

Ending interaction or avoiding confrontation.

87. Sitting on table edge

Casual dominance.

88. Tilting head slightly

Curiosity or questioning.

89. Clicking tongue

Displeasure or disapproval.

90. Holding door slightly ajar

Temporary invitation or hesitation.

91. Standing with hands behind neck

Relaxation or threat in disguise.

92. Leaning forward suddenly

Challenge or intimidation.

93. Tossing phone onto bed or couch

Ending communication abruptly.

94. Holding hand to mouth briefly

Concealing thoughts or intentions.

95. Drumming fingers on surface

Impatience or anxiety.

96. Pulling up socks

Readiness or preparation.

97. Unplugging electronic device

Ending contact or detachment.

98. Brushing hair away from face

Reasserting control.

99. Tapping on shoulder lightly

Signal to move or proceed.

100. Dropping wallet intentionally

Distraction or decoy.

1. Flushing the Toilet

Erasing evidence, resetting, or signaling completion of an action.

2. Leaving Car Hood Open

Indicating a need for assistance, readiness for inspection, or a decoy to attract attention.

3. Driver Door Open

An open invitation or readiness for departure; signaling someone to join or take action.

4. Children Raising Hand in Car

Acknowledgment of a signal or ready to act; may also indicate surveillance or marking a specific moment.

5. Turning on Interior Car Lights

Drawing attention, signaling readiness, or illuminating a hidden action or message.

6. Leaving Door Ajar

Partial compliance, hesitation, or leaving an opportunity open for negotiation or entry.

7. Sitting on the Floor

Signaling submission, waiting, or staying below the radar for safety.

8. Tapping on a Table

Morse code-like communication; could indicate impatience or a specific signal.

9. Drawing Circles

Symbolizing unity, focus, or repetition; might also mark a target.

10. Pointing Upward

Referring to surveillance, a higher authority, or an unseen directive.

11. Putting One Shoe on Table

Indicating departure, change, or readiness to leave.

12. Turning on Porch Light

Signaling a safe entry, welcoming, or readiness for communication.

13. Dropping a Key

Indicating access, unlocking a stage, or symbolizing a critical transition.

14. Adjusting Sunglasses

Checking surroundings, signaling awareness, or preparing for surveillance.

15. Blowing on Fingers

Suggesting relief, completion of a task, or readiness for the next action.

16. Pacing Back and Forth

Anxiety or signaling that action is imminent or that someone is being watched.

17. Sitting on Steps

Marking a transitional point, waiting for confirmation, or observing covertly.

18. Raising Two Hands

Yielding, complying, or indicating readiness for instruction or further action.

19. Lifting One Finger

Referring to a single point of importance, agreement, or indicating "wait."

20. Reversing a Car Slightly

Testing the environment, preparing for departure, or signaling movement readiness.

21. Leaving Trunk Slightly Open

Partial compliance, hidden storage, or bait to distract attention.

22. Cleaning Glasses

Requesting clarity, signaling readiness for a new perspective, or clearing focus.

23. Playing with Hair

Distraction, nervousness, or signaling attention to a covert detail.

24. Wearing Headphones

Tuning into or isolating communication; signaling focus on private information.

25. Flashing Car Lights

Sending signals across distances, indicating readiness, or warning others.

26. Dropping a Pen

Indicating end of conversation, finality, or a hidden signal to conclude an event.

27. Coughing Loudly

Drawing attention or signaling discomfort with the current action.

28. Flipping a Notebook Open

Acknowledgment of receipt of information or readiness to record new details.

29. Hanging Up the Phone Abruptly

Ending communication intentionally or signaling urgency or threat.

30. Leaving Shoes at the Door

Symbolizing peace, neutrality, or readiness to disengage.

31. Standing by a Window

Surveillance, observation, or readiness to receive a signal.

32. Turning Lights On/Off Rapidly

Morse-code-style signal; could indicate urgency or attract attention.

33. Opening a Book but Not Reading

Indicating readiness for a meeting or aligning with prearranged timing.

34. Wearing a Hat Indoors

Disguise, readiness for action, or a covert signal for “protection.”

35. Writing in the Air

Non-verbal communication to signify ideas or prompts for hidden discussions.

36. Sitting on a Park Bench

Neutral meeting point, covert surveillance, or blending into surroundings.

37. Whistling a Tune

Sending signals, acknowledgment, or covertly identifying oneself.

38. Leaving a Scarf Behind

Marking presence, signaling a need to retrieve something, or bait.

39. Sweeping Hands Across Table

Signaling end of conversation, clearing a plan, or a visual cue for “reset.”

40. Walking in a Circle

Highlighting surveillance, emphasizing a location, or indicating indecision.

41. Throwing Object Lightly

Testing an environment, bait, or signaling readiness.

42. Rearranging Objects

Subtle code for organizing plans, marking importance, or distracting attention.

43. Leaving a Light On in the Garage

Indicating a meeting point, preparation for departure, or signaling readiness.

44. Holding Door Open

Signaling welcome, offering an opportunity, or indicating alignment.

45. Opening Car Window Slightly

Discretion, readiness for conversation, or checking surroundings.

46. Dragging Feet While Walking

Indicating hesitation, delay, or signaling non-verbal resistance.

47. Crossing Arms Firmly

Defensiveness, standing ground, or signaling refusal.

48. Bending Over to Tie Shoes

Stalling for time, signaling readiness for movement, or covertly communicating.

49. Closing a Curtain

Securing privacy, signaling end of surveillance, or emphasizing secrecy.

50. Opening a Curtain Slightly

Surveillance readiness, curiosity, or signaling an invitation to observe.