Music not only fills our lives with melody and rhythm but also enriches our language. English is peppered with idioms that have their roots in the musical domain, illustrating various life situations with a musical twist. Whether you’re hitting the right note in a conversation or simply marching to the beat of your own drum, understanding these idioms can add color to your expressions. Let’s dive into 20 musical idioms and discover their meanings and applications through concise examples.
Idioms With Music
1. Face the music
Meaning: To confront the consequences of one’s actions.
Example: After making a mistake, he had to face the music.
2. Music to my ears
Meaning: News or information that one is pleased to hear.
Example: The approval was music to my ears.
3. Change your tune
Meaning: To change your opinion or attitude.
Example: He quickly changed his tune when he saw the evidence.
4. Blow your own trumpet
Meaning: To boast about oneself.
Example: He loves to blow his own trumpet.
5. Ring a bell
Meaning: To sound familiar.
Example: Does that name ring a bell?
6. Strike a chord
Meaning: To evoke an emotional response.
Example: Her speech struck a chord with the audience.
7. Banging the same drum
Meaning: Repeatedly talking about the same topic.
Example: He’s always banging the same drum.
8. Fit as a fiddle
Meaning: To be in good health.
Example: She’s fit as a fiddle at 80.
9. Play it by ear
Meaning: To do something without planning.
Example: We’ll play it by ear for our trip.
10. Drum up
Meaning: To generate interest or support.
Example: They tried to drum up excitement for the event.
11. Set the tone
Meaning: To establish a particular mood or character.
Example: Her welcoming speech set the tone for the evening.
12. Jazz up
Meaning: To make something more interesting or exciting.
Example: They jazzed up the party with decorations.
13. March to the beat of your own drum
Meaning: To do things in one’s own way.
Example: He always marches to the beat of his own drum.
14. Offbeat
Meaning: Unusual or unconventional.
Example: His sense of humor is somewhat offbeat.
15. Fine-tune
Meaning: To make small adjustments to improve something.
Example: They fine-tuned the plan last night.
16. Sing a different tune
Meaning: To change one’s opinion, often contradictorily.
Example: She sang a different tune after the deal fell through.
17. Out of tune
Meaning: Not in agreement or harmony.
Example: Their ideas are out of tune with reality.
18. Hit the right note
Meaning: To do something appropriate or well.
Example: His apology hit the right note with her.
19. Chime in
Meaning: To join a conversation or discussion.
Example: Feel free to chime in with your ideas.
20. Harp on
Meaning: To talk or complain about something persistently.
Example: He tends to harp on minor details.
