Aha! The magic of music! It’s the rhythm of life, the melody of our emotions. But did you ever stop to think about how deeply it’s interwoven into our speech? Music not only gives wings to our feelings but also enriches our language in a way that makes communication vibrant, relatable, and oh so fun! Curious to find out how? Wouldn’t it be cool to learn some common English idioms that sing the language of music? Let’s hit the right notes together!
Here we go with a harmonious list of 19 music-related English idioms that will make your language skills sing:
1. Face the music: To accept the consequences of one’s actions.
Example: He knew he’d have to face the music after failing his exams due to negligence.
2. Music to my ears: Good news or information that one is pleased to hear.
Example: Hearing that my application was accepted was music to my ears.
3. Blow your own trumpet: To boast about one’s own achievements.
Example: He never misses an opportunity to blow his own trumpet.
4. Change your tune: To change one’s opinion or attitude.
Example: Once he realized the project was profitable, he quickly changed his tune.
5. Play second fiddle: To be less important or in a subordinate position.
Example: I refuse to play second fiddle to anyone in this company.
6. Strike a chord: To evoke an emotional response.
Example: His speech about climate change really struck a chord with me.
7. Ring a bell: To sound familiar.
Example: That song rings a bell, but I can’t remember who sings it.
8. March to the beat of your own drum: To do things in one’s own unique way.
Example: He has always marched to the beat of his own drum.
9. Play it by ear: To decide on a course of action as one goes along.
Example: We don’t have a plan for the weekend, we’ll play it by ear.
10. Fine-tune: To make small adjustments for optimal performance.
Example: The team worked hard to fine-tune their strategy.
11. Like a broken record: Repeating the same thing over and over again.
Example: He sounds like a broken record, always complaining about his job.
12. Bells and whistles: Additional features or flashy extras.
Example: I don’t need a car with all the bells and whistles, just something reliable.
13. Behind the scenes: The hidden aspects.
Example: The director worked behind the scenes to make the concert a success.
14. On the same wavelength: Sharing similar views.
Example: We’re on the same wavelength about incorporating more music into our daily routine.
15. In the limelight: At the center of attention.
Example: The singer has been in the limelight since her latest album dropped.
16. All that jazz: And so on; and everything else similar.
Example: I love the 1920s fashion, the flapper dresses, the hats, all that jazz.
17. Call the tune: To be in control of a situation.
Example: She’s the one who calls the tune in this office.
18. Pull out all the stops: To do everything possible to make something successful.
Example: We’re pulling out all the stops for this year’s charity event.
19. Chime in: To join a conversation or give an opinion.
Example: If you have a better idea, feel free to chime in.
In conclusion, English idioms inspired by music are as colorful, expressive, and nuanced as music itself. They capture the essence of our experiences, emotions, and perceptions in vibrant language that’s melodious to the ear. So, the next time you converse in English, why not sprinkle some of these music-related idioms into your speech? After all, life is a symphony, and every conversation is a chance to make beautiful music!
