Music Idioms in English. Some people say that music makes the world go round, they say that music is to the soul what words are to the mindโฆ..
Well, music and words go hand in hand when it comes to certain aspects of English! There are so many idioms based on music or instruments that are used in everyday speech!
Here are some examples, these might help you to hit the right note when talking in English!
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1. HIT THE RIGHT NOTE / STRIKE THE RIGHT NOTE
If you hit the right note, you speak or act in a way that has a positive effect on people.
- I donโt know how he managed to do it, but he just struck the right note and the meeting ended really positively, even the boss looked pleased!
2. BLOW YOUR OWN TRUMPET / BLOW YOUR OWN HORN / TOOT YOUR OWN HORN
When someone boasts about their own talents, abilities and achievements.
- Well, youโre very good at blowing your own trumpet, you just never seem to prove it!
3. IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO
This is used to suggest that when things go wrong, both sides are involved and neither party is completely innocent.
- I know you saw what he did, but it takes two to tango, they are both equally to blame.
4. FIT AS A FIDDLE
This is used to describe someone who is in perfect health.
- Itโs unbelievable. He must be at least 80 but heโs as fit as a fiddle!
5. WITH BELLS ON
This means to arrive somewhere happy and delighted to attend.
- Yes, Iโm going to the party too, Iโll be there with bells on!
6. LIKE A BROKEN RECORD
Used to describe someone who keeps talking about the same story over and over again.
- Would you please stop going on about her boyfriend, you sound like a broken record!
7. AND ALL THAT JAZZ
This means that everything related to or similar is included.
- Celebrities definitely seem to be starting all the latest trends with fashion, hair and all that jazz.
8. MUSIC TO MY EARS
When you hear exactly what you wanted to hear.
- When they read out the results and everyone heard that I got top marks, it was like music to my ears!!
9. YOU CANโT UNRING A BELL
This means that once something has been done, it cannot be changed and you have to live with the consequences.
- Iโm afraid you canโt unring the bell now, everyone heard what you said.
10. MARCH TO THE BEAT OF YOUR OWN DRUM
When someone does things the way they want to, without taking anybody else or anything else into consideration.
- Iโve tried talking to him but he wonโt listen. All he knows is how to march to the beat of his own drum! Why donโt you try?
11. SWAN SONG
This expression is used to describe a final act before dying or ending something
- I am going to resign tomorrow. This project was my swan songย and now that it has been completed, I will leave.
12. RING A BELL
If something rings a bell, it sounds familiar, but you canโt remember the exact details.
- Harry Bertram? That nameย rings a bell, but Iโm not sure if it was definitely him.
13. STRIKE A CHORD
Used to describe something that is familiar to you, reminds you of something or is connected to you somehow.
- That poem really struck a chord in me, it reminded me of my youth so much.
14. CHANGE YOUR TUNE / SING A DIFFERENT TUNE
When someone changes their opinion or their idea of something particular.
- Youโve definitely changed your tune since the last time I saw you! You used to hate this town!
15. FACE THE MUSIC
You say this when someone has to accept the negative consequences of something that has happened.
- Iโm not ready to face the music. I need to figure it out for myselfย before I speak to them.
16. FOR A SONG
If you buy or sell something for a song, it means it is very cheap.
- I canโt believe I managed to buy all of this for a song, maybe the shopkeeper didnโt know what theyโre really worth!
17. PLAY BY EAR
This means to deal with something in an impromptu manner, without guidelines or rules. It refers to playing music without using written connotation.
- I donโt know what Iโm going to say when she gets here, Iโll just play it by ear.
18. SEE YOU ON THE BIG DRUM
A goodnight phrase used for children.
- Okay, get some sleep now. See you on the big drum.
19. AS CLEAN AS A WHISTLE
Used to describe something that is extremely clean.
- He may come across as someone who couldโve been involved in that robbery, but I have checked his records and theyโre as clean as a whistle.
20. BLOW THE WHISTLE / WHISTLE BLOWER
If you report an illegal or harmful activity to the authorities and give information about those responsible, then you are blowing the whistleย and would be referred to as a whistle blower.
- John refused to make a statement for the police. He was afraid of losing his job if he blew the whistle on his boss.
21. CALL THE TUNE
This is used to describe the person who makes the important decisions about something.
- Iโm afraid I canโt help you sir. Barbara calls the tune around here, so youโd have to speak to her.
22. PLAY SECOND FIDDLE
This is used to describe the person who takes a subordinate role behind someone more important.
- Youโre much more experienced than he is, I donโt understand why you continue to play second fiddle. You deserve a higher position in the company!
23. WHISTLE FOR IT
If someone says this to you, it means they are determined to ensure that you donโt get what you are after.
- You can whistle for it as much as you like, this is an heirloom of our family and will stay with us!
24. CLEAR AS A BELL
If something is as clear as a bell, it is very clear or easy to understand.
- His instructions were as clear as a bell, everyone knew exactly what they were supposed to do.
25. FIDDLE WHILE ROME BURNS
This is used when people are procrastinating or wasting their time on unimportant matters while there are more serious problems to be dealt with.
- The management committee seems to be fiddling while Rome burns, they havenโt shown any signs of taking immediate action.
26. JAZZ SOMETHING UP
Used when someone is trying to improve something or add more style to it.
- This dress looks so dull on its own, maybe I should jazz it up a bit with this scarf.
27. CHIME IN
Used when someone interrupts or joins in a conversation, especially to repeat or agree with something.
- I was telling the police officer what had happened, but everyone chimed in and started giving their versions of the story, and he couldnโt hear what I was saying!
28. DRUM INTO ONEโS HEAD
When you teach someone how to do something through constant repetition.
- Our teacher drummed into our heads how important it is to understand the history of our own country.
29. TICKLE THE IVORY
This is a humorous way of talking about playing the piano.
- My mother used to love playing the piano. Sheโd tickle the ivory whenever she had a chance.
30. JAM SESSION / JAMMING
Playing music with various instruments in an improvised and informal setting.
- A few of my friends came over to my house yesterday, and we had the most amazingย jam session.
- We wereย jammingย last night, and I came up with a brilliant idea for a new song!
31. FINE TUNING
Used to describe small adjustments made to improve something or to make it work better.
- My motorbike is almost ready. My dad is quite happy with it, but I think it needs a little more fine tuning.
32. WHISTLE-STOP TOUR
When someone visits a number of places quickly, only stopping at each for a short period of time.
- Weโre going to visit my family up North for the weekend, but itโs only going to be a whistle-stop tour, as we have so many relatives to visit there!
33. WHISTLING IN THE DARK
When someone believes in a positive result, even though everybody else is sure it will not happen.
- He seems pretty determined that heโs going to win the race, but judging from who he is up against, I think heโs only whistling in the dark.
34. WHISTLING DIXIE
If someone is whistling Dixie, they talk about things in a more positive way than the reality. Mainly used in the US.
- He heard what the doctor had to say, but he still seems to be whistling Dixie.
35. MAKE A SONG AND DANCE ABOUT SOMETHING
When someone makes a big deal out of, or a fuss over, something that isnโt that important.
- I wish sheโd stop making such a song and dance about me moving out, itโs not a big deal.
36. ELEVATOR MUSIC
Pleasant but boring pre-recorded music that is usually played in public places.
- I usually like his songs, but his new album just sounds like elevator music!
37. DRUM UP SUPPORT / BUSINESS / INTEREST
Try to get extra support/business/interest by various means.
- Iโve been trying to drum up support for the local Womenโs Rights campaign by speaking to people in the neighborhood.
- We need to try and drum up some interest from the local residents, otherwise weโll never be able to go ahead with our building plans!
38. WET YOUR WHISTLE
To drink something alcoholic
- Why donโt you join us tonight and wet your whistle? Itโs been a long time since we went out together!
39. TRUMPET SOMETHING
To deliberately broadcast some news so everyone can hear, with the intent to boast about something.
- He hasnโt stopped trumpeting his promotion ever since he got it last month! Itโs very annoying.
40. MARCH TO THE SAME TUNE / SING FROM THE SAME SONGSHEET
When everyone follows the same plan, or says the same thing (can be used in the negative form too)
- I would say the reason why our business is failing is because everyone is not marching to the same tune!
- He is always singing from the same songsheet as others. Iโve never heard him come up with his own original idea!
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SONGS WITH IDIOMS
Music is constantly evolving, and so is the English language! So it comes as no surprise that they affect each other so much.
English idioms are used in music to express feelings and describe situations, the same way music is used in English!
Here is a list of popular songs that include idioms:
โMountain Soundโ by Monsters of Men
โHold your horses nowโ meaning wait or hold on. Typically used when someone is rushing into something.
โReach for the Starsโ by S Club 7
โReach for the starsโ meaning aspire to something and set your goals high.
โAlways on Timeโ by Ja Rule and Ashanti
โAlways on timeโ meaning never late.
โDonโt Get Me Wrongโ by The Pretenders
โDonโt get me wrongโ meaning donโt misunderstand me.
โSomewhere Only We Knowโ by Keane
I knew the pathway like the back of my handโ meaning to know something really well.
โI Heard it Through the Grapevineโ by Marvin Gaye
โI heard it through the grapevineโ meaning to hear information from someone who heard it from someone else, i.e. not directly from the source.
โChasing Pavementsโ by Adele
โEven if I knew my placeโ (know your place) meaning to be aware of your position in society, family or a relationship and comfortable with it.
โKnocking on Heavenโs Doorโ by Guns โNโ Roses
โKnocking on heavenโs doorโ meaning to be waiting to die or being very close to death.
โDown and Outโ by Genesis
I donโt want to beat around the bushโ meaning letโs just get straight to the point or thereโs no need to procrastinate.
-Beat Itโ by Michael Jackson
โJust beat itโ meaning leave immediatelyย (usually used as an order).
โ โCat Got Your Tongueโ by Fujiya and Miyagi
โHas the cat got your tongue?โ meaning to be speechless or unable to speak. (In other words: โWhy wonโt you say anything?โ)
โCry Me a Riverโ by Justin Timberlake
โCry me a riverโ meaning to cry excessively in someoneโs presence in order to obtain sympathy.
โBy Myselfโ by Linkin Park
โDo I try to catch them red-handed?โ meaning to catch someone in the act of doing something wrong.
โWhite Flagโ by Dido
โThere will be no white flag above my doorโ (raise a white flag) meaning to show sign of surrender or truce.
โTime after Timeโ by Cyndi Lauper
โTime after timeโ meaning again and again, repeatedly.
โLouiseโ by The Human League
โItโs not true that time heals all woundsโ meaning feelings of emotional hurt will leave as time passes.
โFunny How Time Flies (When Youโre Having Fun)โ by Janet Jackson
Ainโt it funny how time fliesโ meaning how quickly time passes by.
โBecause of Youโ by Kelly Clarkson
I learnt to play on the safe sideโ meaning to be extremely cautious in order to stay safe.
โHit The Road Jackโ by Ray Charles
โHit the road Jackโ meaning to leave immediately without the intention of returning (usually used as an order).
โRight Place, Wrong Timeโ by Dr. John
โIn the right place at the wrong timeโ โ this is a combination of two idioms, which are โin the right place at the right timeโ (when something good happens by luck) and โin the wrong place at the wrong timeโ (when something bad happens by chance/unlucky).
โWrongโ by Depeche Mode
โI was in the wrong place at the wrong timeโ โ meaning when something bad happens by chance or something unlucky that would not have normally happened.
โLost out over Youโ by Novastar
โWe have other fish to fryโ โ meaning we have other/more important things to do.
โLingerโ by The Cranberries
โYouโve got me wrapped around your little fingerโ meaning to manipulate and control someone.
โCanโt Have Your Cake and Eat Itโ by Brenda Taylor
โYou canโt have your cake and eat it tooโ meaning you canโt have or do two good things at the same time that are impossible or unfair to have or do at the same time.
โIf I Could Turn Back the Hands of Timeโ by R Kelly
โIf I could turn back the hands of timeโ meaning to go back in the past. Usually used in moments of reminiscence or regret.
โI Had the Time of My Lifeโ by Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing)
โI had the time of my lifeโ meaning to enjoy yourself thoroughly, have the best time ever.
โWhen itโs Raining Cats and Dogsโ by PM Dawn
โWhen itโs raining cats and dogsโ when there isย torrential rainย or raining very heavily.
โItโs Raining Menโ by The Weather Girls (originally) also by Gerri Halliwell
โItโs raining menโ โ used in a situation when there are many attractive men around.
โLeave No Stone Unturnedโ by Europe
โLeave no stone unturnedโ meaning to search in every possible way for evidence or the truth.
โTaking Care of Businessโ by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
โTaking care of businessโ meaning to do what needs to be done.
โWater Under the Bridgeโ by Olivia Newton-John
โItโs all water under the bridgeโ meaning itโs all in the past, long gone and forgotten about.
โTake it Easyโ by The Eagles
โTake it easyโ meaning relax and stay calm.
โIโm gonna wash that man right outta my hairโ by South Pacific
โIโm gonna wash that man right outta my hairโ meaning to finish with someone and want nothing else to do with them.
โAlienatedโ by Keri Hilson
โYouโve become a shooting starโ referring to someone who is rapidly rising to fame.
โAlejandroโ by Lady Gaga
โNothing to loseโ meaning to take a risk because things could not possibly get any worse.
โFancy Pantsโ by Lady Gaga
โFancy pantsโ referring to someone who acts in a manner which others think is overly elaborate or pretentious.ย
โPoker Faceโ by Lady Gaga
โPoker faceโ meaning when someoneโs face has no expression and does not give away any sign of emotion. Most commonly used in the context of playing a poker game in order to disguise the true value of your cards.
โMonsterโ by Lady Gaga
โHeโs a wolf in disguiseโ referring to someone who is an evil or dangerous person who pretends to be nice and friendly. It comes from an old fable โabout a wolf dressed in sheepโs clothingโ, and the childrenโs story โLittle Red Riding Hoodโ.
โRed and Blueโ by Lady Gaga
โIโm old schoolโ meaning traditional thinking or behaviour. This can be used in a positive (efficient ideas that work) or a negative way (backwards, living in the past).
โStar Struckโ by Lady Gaga
โStarstruckโ meaning to be completely in awe of someoneโs celebrity status.
โWonderfulโ by Lady Gaga
โIโm talking in circlesโ meaning to talk a lot and not really say anything of meaning.
โJamminโ by Bob Marley
โWeโre jamminโ or โjam sessionโ refers to an informal session where musicians play together.
โTotal Eclipse of the Heartโ by Bonnie Tyler
โEvery now and then I fall apartโ meaning when something (can be used for objects when they stop working) or someone fails to function properly (mainly emotionally for people).
โDrive My Carโ by The Beatles
โWorking for peanutsโ meaning working for a very small amount of money, not earning very much.
โYesterdayโ by The Beatles
โThereโs a shadow hanging over meโ meaning mistakes that were made in the past are / guilt is still following you and lingering close by.
โTicket to Rideโ by The Beatles
โDriving me madโ meaning being forced into insanity, not necessarily in the literal sense, but more in love or anger.ย
โThe Fool on the Hillโ by The Beatles
โHis headโs in a cloudโ meaning not living in reality, (mentally) living in a dream land in oneโs own imagination.
โThe Magical Mystery Tourโ by The Beatles
โDying to take you awayโ meaning to be in desperate eagerness to do something.
โWith a Little Help from My Friendsโ by The Beatles
โLend me your earsโ meaning to ask someone to listen to you.
โNowhere Manโ by The Beatles
โLends you a handโ meaning to offer help or assistance with something.
โGenius in Franceโ by Weird Al Malkovic
โNot the brightest crayon in the boxโ
โNot the sharpest chunk of cheeseโ
This song uses many different phrases that refer to being very simple-minded, not clever.
โYou are the Sunshine of my Lifeโ by Stevie Wonder
โYou are the sunshine of my life / You are the apple of my eye both refer to someone or something that makes you very happy.ย
โCanary in a Coal Mineโ by The Police
โYou live your life like a canary in a coalmineโ meaning something whose sensitivity to adverse conditions makes it a useful early indicator of such conditions; something which warns of the coming of a greater danger or trouble by a deterioration of its health. This could be used to describe someone who is very paranoid and lives in constant fear of danger or death.
โWild Horsesโ by The Rolling Stones
โWild horses couldnโt drag me awayโ meaning nothing could persuade me to do or not do something, impossible to change your mind.
โMy Wayโ by Frank Sinatra
โI bit off more than I could chewโ meaning to try to do more than you can comfortably handle.