Musical Idioms from Grammar.net.
Take a look at this list of English idioms created by Grammar.net that are all music related. To help you learn these knew phrases I am going to define all of these idioms below (using a little more information than what is in the definitions in the picture above; keep in mind both definitions – mine and those in the picture – are correct). By the end of this post all of these phrases should be music to your ears.
for a song – very cheaply
Example: I bought my new desk for a song at the furniture sale. You will never believe how little I paid for it.
to set something to music – to write a piece of music to accompany a set of words
Example: Colin asked his musician friend to set his poem to music so he could sing it to his girlfriend.
music to my ears – good news; something good to hear
Example: Hearing that you will be coming to visit for 2 weeks is music to my ears. I can’t wait until you get here.
elevator music – music that is calm/relaxing; music that is usually played in public places like on the elevator, at the doctor’s office, etc.
Example: There is always elevator music playing in the lobby of the hotel, although the patrons like it, the employees get tired of it.
to face the music – to receive punishment; to accept the unpleasant results of one’s actions
Example: After robbing 10 banks, the thief finally had to face the music and receive his punishment of 25 years in prison.
to play it by ear – to decide how to deal with a situation as it happens, rather than planning out what you will do ahead of time
Example: I’m not sure if I am going to go to the party tonight, I think I’ll just play it by ear and see how I am feeling later.
jam session – when musicians play improvised music; playing music with others without preparation or a specific arrangement
Example: Every Tuesday night there is a jam session at my house with my closest friends, sometimes the music can get really loud.
to ring a bell – something that seems/sounds familiar
Example: I thought that your name rang a bell when I heard the teacher call roll, you were in my English class two years ago weren’t you?
to change your tune – to change ones mind; to have a change of heart; to change one’s manner of interacting
Example: The employee was acting very rude to the customers until the manager came over, then she changed her tune and was very nice to everyone.
chin music – meaningless talk or conversation
Example: Whenever those two old friends get together, you can be sure there will be plenty of chin music.
