When the fash start throwing accusations of virtue signalling around, you know they've lost the argument. It means "we know you're right but please shut up about it because it makes us feel uncomfortable"
And if activist types start throwing it around then you should probably take a look at your actions and see if they match up with what you say and also examine your motivations for saying them.
Gaywashing. Hypocrisy. We have better words for these things. "Virtue signalling", like snowflake or "woke" used pejoritavely is a dog whistle that's been over used to shut down debate.
When the fash start throwing accusations of virtue signalling around, you know they've lost the argument. It means "we know you're right but please shut up about it because it makes us feel uncomfortable"
Best response is to virtue signal even louder