"Get Into the Rhythm" with English Idioms Related to Music
Just like countries all over the world, music is a very important part of culture in English-speaking countries. So it shouldn't be surprising to learn that English includes many expressions and idioms related to music.
Similar to other expressions related to specific themes, there are music-related idioms for many different situations, so they are quite useful in everyday conversations. So listen up and let's learn a few below.
Good note / bad note
When interacting with others, the way in which things begin can influence how things continue. Similarly, the final moments can give you a positive or negative impression about everything that happened before.
We can talk about these important moments as if they are the first and last notes of a song.
- Jesse was excited to begin her new job on a good note, so she brought doughnuts for all of her co-workers.
- The meeting ended on a bad note when both sides became frustrated with the failed negotiations.
March to the beat of one’s own drum
Some people do things differently than others, and are very comfortable being unique. Their uniqueness may come from their attitude, their fashion or maybe their hobbies. We can describe people like this as "marching to the beat of their own drum" — not someone else's drum!
- I've always admired Jane for marching to the beat of her own drum. She's very confident and doesn't mind standing out.
Related article: How Many Different Ways Can You Say "Weird"?
Sing a different tune
"Tune" is a casual term for a song. This expression is used when someone changes their mind, as if they are switching from one song to a different one. It's often used sarcastically.
- He said he wants to buy the jacket, but he'll be singing a different tune when he sees the price.
Get into a rhythm
Musicians often struggle to play a song they have never played before. Similarly, when trying a new activity, you may not understand how to do it properly at first.
Over time, however, it will become more natural and you will get used to doing it comfortably. Once you have reached this point, it means you have gotten "into the rhythm" of the activity.
Depending on the situation, it is more appropriate to say "get into a rhythm."
- It took me a little while to get into the rhythm at my new job, but now I feel quite comfortable.
- Once my teammates and I got into a rhythm, we were able to work very quickly.
Music to one’s ears
If you hear some news that makes you very happy, you can compare it to the feeling of hearing music that you enjoy.
- Hearing that I didn't have to go to the office tomorrow was like music to my ears!
Tone-deaf
"Deaf" is an adjective that means "unable to hear." Someone who cannot sing or play an instrument well may not clearly understand the small differences between musical notes. In this case, we can say they are "tone-deaf."
In situations not related to music, you can describe people and actions as tone-deaf if they are not sensitive or appropriate for a situation. For example, making jokes in an important business meeting would be very tone-deaf.
- The politician was criticized for making tone-deaf comments during his speech.
To the tune of ~
This expression is a creative way to say how much something costs or to emphasize a specific amount.
- Our charity campaign received donations to the tune of $50,000. We can help a lot of people with that money!
Related article: "Pay" vs. "Spend" vs. "Cost": What's the Difference?
One-man band
Bands require more than one person to play the different instruments like drums, keyboards and guitars. Most people cannot play more than one instrument at a time.
A person who is able to do many tasks without help from others is similar to a musician playing every instrument on their own.
- Daisuke is really a one-man band; he programmed the game, made all of the art, and even wrote the music himself.
This expression is generally used in a positive way, but it can also be used to say that someone would do better with help from others.
- I think you should stop trying to be a one-man band and accept help from your friends.
Without skipping a beat
If someone can continue doing an activity smoothly even when there has been a problem or a disruption, it's similar to a musician who can keep the rhythm of a song no matter what is happening around them.
- Although the pandemic had a negative effect on many businesses, we were able to continue without skipping a beat.
One-hit wonder
A "one-hit wonder" is an artist or musical group who has one very popular song that everyone knows — but only one. Similarly, an organization or individual with only one popular product or service can be described with the same term.
- Years after his first invention, Steve showed everyone that he wasn't a one-hit wonder when he made several more successful products.
Face the music
When you "face the music," it means you accept punishment or criticism for a mistake or for poor performance. In other words, it is taking responsibility for something that has gone wrong.
- The students were forced to face the music when the teachers discovered they were cheating on their assignments.
Play something by ear
Many musicians play by reading musical notes that have been written down. However, some people are able to play songs without these guides. We say that those with this skill can "play by ear."
In daily conversations, "playing something by ear" means doing an activity without a plan or preparation.
- We haven't made clear plans for our vacation; we're just going to play it by ear.
Toot one’s own horn
"Toot" is a casual verb that means to make a short sound on a horn such as a trumpet or saxophone. "Tooting your own horn" means bragging, or behaving with too much confidence.
- He loves to toot his own horn about how much money he makes.
However, this expression is often used in the negative in order to reduce the nuance of bragging before someone makes a positive comment about themself.
- I don't mean to toot my own horn, but this pasta I made is delicious.
Related article: Essential English Vocabulary for Cooking
Play second fiddle
"Fiddle" is another word for violin. In an orchestra, the second fiddle supports the first, or main, violin.
Outside of music, this expression often has a negative nuance, suggesting that one person or thing is less important than another. (Notice that you need "to" to refer to another person.)
- Jake was tired of playing second fiddle to Max, so he left to start his own group.
Wrap-up
No matter what language you study, you will probably find expressions connected to music. It is a good reminder of how important music has always been to cultures around the world.
Almost all of the idioms introduced here are common and OK to use even in professional situations. So once you've learned them, look for opportunities to try them out in your own daily interactions.
