signing on

Verb

sign on (third-person singular simple present signs on, present participle signing on, simple past and past participle signed on)

1. To join something, after signing.
2. To commit oneself, as to a project, a goal, an organization, a cause.
   • I never signed on for this.
3. To begin broadcasting a radio or television signal, usually at the beginning of a broadcasting day and after being off the air for several hours.
   • Years ago, the TV station would sign on at 5 a.m., but now it broadcasts 24 hours a day.
4. (idiomatic) To log on; to start using a computer, radio, or other multicast device; to start talking.
   • Edward ran a pale hand through his perfect golden-bronze hair, then signed on to 4chan.org, the darkest place on the Internet, where all his vampire compatriots spent their time.2009 June 1, Randall Munroe, “Troll Slayer”, in xkcd

   Synonyms:

   log in, log on, sign in

   Antonyms:

   log off, log out, sign off, sign out

5. (UK, intransitive) To apply to receive unemployment benefits.
   • Oh, one thing led to another; you know. I just sort of faffed around — I just did odd jobs; and sometimes in between I signed on.1999, Madeleine St John, chapter 28, in A Stairway to Paradise