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- In this reference, you will explore some of the most common music idioms and phrases in English. From “playing second fiddle” to “beating the drum for something,” you will learn about the origins and meanings of these expressions. This reference provides examples of how to use these idioms in everyday conversations.
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- Music to My Ears
- Face The Music
- Elevator Music
- Making Beautiful Music
- Sound Like A Broken Record
- Blow Your Own Trumpet
- Play It by Ear
- Ring A Bell
- Blow The Whistle
- Singing A Different Tune
This in-tune musical idiom applies when you’ve heard something pleasing. Something you like. Of course, you can change the ‘my’ in music to my ears as needed. Perhaps it’s music to her ears or theirears, for example.
Perhaps not the most popular expression, as if you need to face the musicyou’re probably in trouble or going to get in trouble. It means you have to own up, or confess, to something you did. This is just one of many idioms you can use to describe bad things happening.
Describing a distinctive type of music, elevator musicmay be used when you hear dull, boring music. This simply comes from the fact that the music played in elevators (British English – lifts) isn’t normally very interesting. It’s mostly used in a negative, mocking manner. You can listen to some elevator music here, if you want a better idea of wha...
Of course, the phrase make beautiful music together may be taken literally – an actual band making wonderful music as a group. When we refer to it as an idiom about music it has a more romantic feel. It would be used to describe a very positive and strong romantic relationship. For the over 18’s out there, it could also be used in reference to an i...
Try to use this phrase when someone is saying the same thing over and over and over again. Especially in an annoying fashion (way). To sound like a broken record dates back to when people used to play vinyl records on an old-fashioned record player. If the vinyl was scratched or broken, the record would skip and replay itself over and over again.
This interesting music idiom can be used in both a positive and negative manner. To blow your own trumpetis to say something good about a personal accomplishment or achievement. As you’ll see below, it can be used in a boastful or encouraging way.
Here’s another musical idiom that can have two meanings. Firstly, when you are making arrangements with someone but you haven’t confirmed the exact details (like the time or location) yet, you might decide to play it by ear. This means you will make firm plans nearer the time. Secondly, if someone can play music well without having to follow the no...
You might know the literal meaning of this one: you actually ring a bell when you arrive at someone’s house or an office to let them know you are there. But when using it in relation to idioms about music, this applies when you’re trying to recall something familiar but can’t remember every detail. It can also be used in a negative sense if you don...
News presenters mention this a lot on TV and you may read about it in a newspaper. To blow the whistle or be a whistle-bloweris to report wrongdoings and expose corruption in a public forum (a public way like on social media or on TV).
This cheerful musical idiom, singing a different tune, is used to describe the changing of someone’s opinion or point of view. A variation of this is to change your tune, which is featured on our list of idioms about change.
- Music to My Ears. Meaning: This idiom means that the information you’ve heard is very pleasing or delightful. It’s as if the news was a lovely song, creating joy when you hear it.
- Face the Music. Meaning: Facing a difficult or unpleasant situation or consequences, similar to bravely standing in front of a fierce orchestra of problems.
- Strike a Chord. Meaning: This phrase means to cause someone to remember something or to resonate emotionally. It’s akin to playing a note that reverberates within one’s emotions or memories.
- Sing a Different Tune. Meaning: If someone is changing their opinion or attitude about something, they’re said to be “singing a different tune.” It’s as if their melody of ideas or beliefs has shifted.
Apr 20, 2024 · At all music, idioms add depth and color to conversations. In this article, we’ll explore common idioms related to music and learn how to use them. Join us as we find and answer to the hidden meanings behind these musical expressions!
- Music Makes the World go Round. Meaning: that without music, the world is a lesser place. The world is all the richer and vibrant for having music. Example sentence: “I try to listen to the radio at every possible moment; it lightens my mood and helps make the world go around.”
- Elevator Music. Meaning: an expression referring to pleasant but otherwise mundane background music. The type of music played in public places. Example sentence: "I like to leave this track playing in the background while I write; its soothing and doesn't cause any distraction—it's like listening to elevator music."
- Music to my Ears. Meaning: to hear something welcoming, often said in response to hearing good news. Example sentence: “The announcement that we won a significant pay award was like music to my ears.”
- To Beat the Drum. To speak up in favor of something. Meaning: To speak up in favor of something. Used to describe someone who is campaigning noisily on another's behalf.
This blog post delves into the world of music idioms, exploring their meanings, origins, and how they add imagery and color to everyday language. It covers popular idioms like "face the music," "music to my ears," "change your tune," and "on the same page," explaining their metaphorical connection to musical concepts.
This music idioms list features expressions that are often used in everyday conversational English. They will help you understand everyday English better and make your English sound more natural as well.
