Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries, cultures, and ages. To enhance your understanding and communication about music, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with common idioms and phrasal verbs. Here are 20 expressions related to music, complete with short meanings and example sentences.
1. Face the Music
Meaning: Accept consequences
Example: It’s time to face the music for your actions.
2. Blow Your Own Trumpet
Meaning: Brag about oneself
Example: She always blows her own trumpet about her achievements.
3. Strike a Chord
Meaning: Evoke an emotional response
Example: The movie struck a chord with many viewers.
4. Change Your Tune
Meaning: Alter your opinion
Example: He changed his tune after hearing the details.
5. Play It by Ear
Meaning: Improvise
Example: We decided to play it by ear during our trip.
6. Call the Tune
Meaning: Be in control
Example: The manager always calls the tune in meetings.
7. Music to My Ears
Meaning: Pleasant news
Example: Your promotion is music to my ears!
8. Jazz Something Up
Meaning: Make more exciting
Example: Let’s jazz up the party decorations!
9. Fine-Tune
Meaning: Make small adjustments
Example: We need to fine-tune the presentation before the meeting.
10. Drum Up
Meaning: Generate support
Example: They drummed up a lot of interest for the event.
11. Tune Out
Meaning: Ignore
Example: She tunes out when he starts complaining.
12. Ring a Bell
Meaning: Sound familiar
Example: Does his name ring a bell to you?
13. March to the Beat of Your Own Drum
Meaning: Be independent
Example: She always marches to the beat of her own drum.
14. Play Second Fiddle
Meaning: Be less important
Example: He hates playing second fiddle in the team.
15. Blow the Whistle
Meaning: Expose wrongdoing
Example: She blew the whistle on the company’s illegal activities.
16. Hit the Right Note
Meaning: Be appropriate
Example: His speech hit the right note with the audience.
17. Dance to Someone’s Tune
Meaning: Comply with someone’s demands
Example: He always dances to his boss’s tune.
18. Set the Tone
Meaning: Establish a mood
Example: Her enthusiasm set the tone for the meeting.
19. Strike a Sour Note
Meaning: Create a negative reaction
Example: His comment struck a sour note with the audience.
20. Blow Your Top
Meaning: Get very angry
Example: He blew his top when he heard the news.
