list of music idioms
Harry
Music Idioms in English
This is Harry, and welcome to my English lessons where I try to help you to improve your English so that you can have better conversations. Create a better impression if you go for that job interview in English. Particularly, with an international company.
We’re going to talk about English idioms connected with music. I’m going to give you the list of these music idioms, one at a time. Then I’ll go through them with you and I’ll give you some examples.
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INSANITY: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
blow your own trumpet
Meaning: to tell people good things about yourself and what you can do; can have either positive or negative connotations
Examples:
She tried hard to blow her own trumpet during her annual review, but the manager ignored her story.
‘I did a really good job on the presentation last week. You should have tasted my paella,’ Harry just couldn’t stop blowing his own trumpet.
for a song
Meaning: if something goes for a song, it means it is really cheap; it doesn’t cost a lot of money
Example:
I bought my first digital camera yesterday. The shop had a flash sale, and I got it for a song.
Music Idioms in English
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ring a bell
Meaning: something reminds you of something but you’re not quite sure what it is
Examples:
What’s that name again? That rings a bell. I think I dealt with those people three years ago.
His face rings a bell. I think we’ve met somewhere before.
like a broken record
Meaning: someone’s going on and on about the same thing in an annoying fashion; something’s repeated over and over again
Examples:
Julia kept asking for this new toy all day long yesterday, she really was like a broken record.
Oh, this is one of his annoying habits. He always repeats things, he’s like a broken record.
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play second fiddle
Meaning: to be less important than someone else
Example:
The new player may have to play second fiddle in the team. It would be a shame to see him just warming the bench.
all that jazz
Meaning: and all the other things (when referring to similar kinds of things or things you have been talking about)
Examples:
I had the interview, I had the questions. Then I had to have the second interview. Now they want me to do more assessments and even a psychometric test, you know all that jazz. You know the usual things that you have to do nowadays.
I’m going back to college in August. First, I have to get living accommodation sorted out. Then I have to get books. Get registered. Buy kitchen stuff. All that jazz.
Music Idioms in English
play it by ear
Meaning: to see and wait for what happens; not making any firm decisions yet
Example:
Wait and see. I’ll play it by ear. When I know exactly what’s going to happen, I’ll send you a text.
fine-tuning
Meaning: some adjustment that we have to make to something
Example:
My thesis is almost finished. I just have to do some fine-tuning, and then it will be perfect.
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Music Idioms in English
music to someone’s ears
Meaning: some information that really cheers you up, makes you feel good
Examples:
We’ve finally got that important contract signed. In fact, they signed it for 3 years, we won’t have to renew it for a while. It was music to my ears.
The buyer’s offer was music to my ears. I’ll finally get rid of that property.
face the music
Meaning: time to face the consequences for something you have done
Examples:
I think I’m going to see the boss now. It’s time to face the music. He’s going to shout and scream but better to do it before the weekend.
I’d better go home and face the music. It’s midnight and I promised to be home early.
Governments have to face the music because of strange decisions they made.
Okay, that’s my 10 music idioms in English. So let me go through them again.
- blow your own trumpet
- for a song
- ring a bell
- like a broken record
- play second fiddle
- all that jazz
- play it by ear
- fine-tuning
- music to someone’s ears
- face the music
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More information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Describe your FEELINGS in English
10 English expressions with KEEP
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC.
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