Music Idioms

MUSIC IDIOMS

An idiom is an expression whose meaning differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken together. In other words, it is a phrase or an expression that has a figurative meaning. Today, we are going to study ten idioms related to music vocabulary.

Music to my ears

Definition: Refers to something that you are happy to hear. A news that pleases you. Something that is pleasing to hear.

• My teacher told me I passed the exam.  That was music to my ears!
  
• Mom says that I can stay up late to watch the movie.  That's music to my ears!
  
• My friend told me that my favorite sports team just won, that’s music to my ears.
  

Toot your own horn/blow your own trumpet 

Definition: this means to brag about your own achievements, abilities, successes, etc.

• I don't mean to toot my own horn, but this pasta sauce I made is quite delicious! 
  
• I can't stand being around Marcus ever since his company became such a massive success. The guy just can't stop blowing his own trumpet!
  

In this case, maybe this person is a little bit too proud of his success and he likes to brag about it.

Face the music

Definition: it means to accept the consequences or negative results of something you did wrong.

• My friend crashed his father’s car, so he had to face the music when he got home.
  
• My friend cheated on a test and the teacher discovered him. Now he has to face the music.
  

It takes two to tango

Definition: it means that when something goes wrong, both sides are responsible; neither is innocent.

One person cannot argue. It takes at least two people to argue.

• She may want to argue, but it takes two to tango and I won't stoop to her level.
• Divorce is never the fault of one partner; it takes two to tango.
  

Strike a chord with me

Definition: to cause an emotional response because it is familiar or relevant to you.

• That movie strikes a chord with me. It makes me feel emotional.
  
• The film still strikes a chord with younger audiences, even after all these years.

Fit as a fiddle (in perfect health)

Definition: fit as a fiddle, means being in perfect health.

• At the age of 60, he is fit as a fiddle.
  
• You may feel sick now, but after a few days of rest and plenty of liquids, you'll be fit as a fiddle.
  

…and all that Jazz

This phrase usually goes at the end of the sentence.

Definition: everything related to a particular topic or category that you are talking.

Example:

• She likes cooking and all that Jazz. It means she likes cooking and everything related to cooking, for example baking, frying things, making soups, etc.
  
• If we're going to paint this weekend, we need rollers, drop cloths and all that jazz. 
  

Change your tune

Definition: to change their behavior or attitude.

• After giving a piece of advice, my son changed his tune and he started to do his homework.
  
• He was against the idea, but he soon changed his tune when he realized how much money he would get.
  

Like a broken record

If someone sounds like a broken record it means that they are saying the same thing over and over again.

• Mom, I heard you, I will clean my room after dinner. Stop telling me that! You sound like a broken record.
  
• He is always saying the same thing; he sounds like a broken record.

Clear as a bell

Definition: It means clear and easy to understand.

• I heard him say my name, it was clear as a bell.
  
• Unfortunately, our neighbors fight a lot, and we can hear them clear as a bell