{"id":6691,"date":"2026-01-26T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=6691"},"modified":"2026-01-26T01:00:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T01:00:01","slug":"english-music-idioms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/","title":{"rendered":"'Get Into the Rhythm' With English Music Idioms"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#English_Music_Idioms\" >English Music Idioms<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Good_note_Bad_note\" >Good note \/ Bad note<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#March_to_the_beat_of_ones_own_drum\" >March to the beat of one&#8217;s own drum<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Sing_a_different_tune\" >Sing a different tune<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Get_into_the_rhythm\" >Get into the rhythm<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Music_to_ones_ears\" >Music to one&#8217;s ears<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Tone-deaf\" >Tone-deaf<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#To_the_tune_of\" >To the tune of ~<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#One-man_band\" >One-man band<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Without_skipping_a_beat\" >Without skipping a beat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#One-hit_wonder\" >One-hit wonder<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Face_the_music\" >Face the music<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Play_something_by_ear\" >Play something by ear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Toot_ones_own_horn\" >Toot one&#8217;s own horn<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Play_second_fiddle\" >Play second fiddle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Sound_like_a_broken_record\" >Sound like a broken record<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Strike_a_chord\" >Strike a chord<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/english-music-idioms\/#Wrap-up\" >Wrap-up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Music is an important part of cultures around the world. In English, you can see its influence in many idioms native speakers use every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This time, we'll introduce 16 music-related expressions that are useful in casual chats with friends and even in formal business settings. Let's begin! \ud83c\udfb5<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"English_Music_Idioms\"><\/span><strong>English Music Idioms<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Good_note_Bad_note\"><\/span><strong>Good note \/ Bad note<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The very beginning and end of an interaction can have a big influence on our overall feelings. In English, fluent speakers often compare these moments to the first and last notes of a song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Jesse wanted to <strong>start<\/strong> her new job <strong>on a good note<\/strong>, so she brought doughnuts for her co-workers.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The meeting <strong>ended on a bad note<\/strong> when the negotiations failed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"March_to_the_beat_of_ones_own_drum\"><\/span><strong>March to the beat of one&#8217;s own drum<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people choose to do things differently than others. Their uniqueness may come from their attitude, their fashion or their way of thinking.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can describe people like this by saying they \"march to the beat of their own drum.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I admire Jane for <strong>marching to the beat of her own drum<\/strong>. She's very confident and doesn't mind standing out.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sing_a_different_tune\"><\/span><strong>Sing a different tune<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075026\/moises-alex-JmDq_xrhkvc-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A young woman singing a tune in front of a large band playing percussion instruments\" class=\"wp-image-6695\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075026\/moises-alex-JmDq_xrhkvc-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075026\/moises-alex-JmDq_xrhkvc-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075026\/moises-alex-JmDq_xrhkvc-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075026\/moises-alex-JmDq_xrhkvc-unsplash-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075026\/moises-alex-JmDq_xrhkvc-unsplash-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This expression is used when someone changes their mind about something \u2014 as if they're switching from one song (or tune) to a different one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is often said sarcastically or as a warning.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You're not bringing a jacket? It's warm now, but you'll be <strong>singing a different tune<\/strong> when the sun goes down.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_into_the_rhythm\"><\/span><strong>Get into the rhythm<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Musicians often struggle to play a song they've never played before. In a similar way, when trying a new activity, you may not understand how to do it correctly at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you keep trying, however, you'll eventually \"get into the rhythm,\" when you're doing it comfortably and naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It took me a little while to <strong>get into the rhythm<\/strong> at my new job, but now I feel quite comfortable.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>It's also common to say \"get into <em>a<\/em> rhythm.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Once my teammates and I <strong>got into a rhythm<\/strong>, we were able to work very quickly.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Music_to_ones_ears\"><\/span><strong>Music to one&#8217;s ears<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you hear some news that makes you very happy, you can compare it to the feeling of hearing music that you enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Hearing that I didn't have to go to the office tomorrow was like <strong>music to my ears<\/strong>!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tone-deaf\"><\/span><strong>Tone-deaf<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075153\/shutterstock_2342338729-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A tone-deaf woman in a music studio singing loudly and badly\" class=\"wp-image-6696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075153\/shutterstock_2342338729-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075153\/shutterstock_2342338729-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075153\/shutterstock_2342338729-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075153\/shutterstock_2342338729-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075153\/shutterstock_2342338729-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Someone who's tone-deaf is unable to clearly understand small differences between musical notes. That results in music that's not so nice to listen to!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But outside of music, you can describe people and their actions as \"tone-deaf\" if they're not sensitive or appropriate for a situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Johnson's joking during the important business meeting was very <strong>tone-deaf<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"To_the_tune_of\"><\/span><strong>To the tune of ~<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This idiom is a creative way to emphasize a specific number or amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Our charity campaign received donations <strong>to the tune of <\/strong>$50,000. We can use that money to help a lot of people!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Related article:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/pay-vs-spend-vs-cost\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em> \"Pay\" vs. \"Spend\" vs. \"Cost\": What's the Difference?<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"One-man_band\"><\/span><strong>One-man band<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bands consist of various members who each play different instruments or have specific roles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But in general conversations, a \"one-man band\" is someone who can do many tasks without help from others \u2014 just like a musician who can play every instrument on their own.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Daisuke is a <strong>one-man band<\/strong>; he programmed the game, made all of the art, and even wrote the music himself. Amazing!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Without_skipping_a_beat\"><\/span><strong>Without skipping a beat<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075509\/jo-jo-JAIwTWU4lVU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A young man playing the drums on stage with his bandmates\" class=\"wp-image-6697\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075509\/jo-jo-JAIwTWU4lVU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075509\/jo-jo-JAIwTWU4lVU-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075509\/jo-jo-JAIwTWU4lVU-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075509\/jo-jo-JAIwTWU4lVU-unsplash-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075509\/jo-jo-JAIwTWU4lVU-unsplash-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If someone can keep doing an activity smoothly even if there's a problem or distraction, it's just like a musician who can maintain the rhythm of a song regardless of what's happening around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The Covid pandemic had a negative effect on many businesses, but we were able to continue <strong>without skipping a beat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"One-hit_wonder\"><\/span><strong>One-hit wonder<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A \"one-hit wonder\" is an artist who has one very popular song \u2014 but <em>only<\/em> one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a similar way, an organization or individual with just one successful product or service can be described with the same term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Steve showed everyone that he wasn't a <strong>one-hit wonder<\/strong> when he continued to release successful products throughout his career.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Face_the_music\"><\/span><strong>Face the music<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you \"face the music,\" you accept criticism or punishment for a mistake or poor performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The students were forced to <strong>face the music<\/strong> when the teachers discovered they were cheating.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Play_something_by_ear\"><\/span><strong>Play something by ear<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many musicians play by reading musical notes that have been written down. However, some people can play songs just by listening to them. We say that those musicians can \"play by ear.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In daily conversations, \"playing something by ear\" means doing an activity without a plan or preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I don't know what I'm doing this weekend; I'm just going to <strong>play it by ear<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Toot_ones_own_horn\"><\/span><strong>Toot one&#8217;s own horn<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075627\/brayan-espitia-6BQ7SUqLNps-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An older man in a hat and colorful shirt playing a trumpet\" class=\"wp-image-6698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075627\/brayan-espitia-6BQ7SUqLNps-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075627\/brayan-espitia-6BQ7SUqLNps-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075627\/brayan-espitia-6BQ7SUqLNps-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075627\/brayan-espitia-6BQ7SUqLNps-unsplash-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/08\/09075627\/brayan-espitia-6BQ7SUqLNps-unsplash-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Toot\" is a casual verb that describes making a short sound on an instrument like a trumpet or saxophone. But in casual conversations, \"tooting your own horn\" means bragging or talking about yourself with too much confidence.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Carl loves to <strong>toot his own horn<\/strong> about how much money he makes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This idiom is often used before someone makes a positive comment about themself in order to <em>reduce<\/em> the feeling of overconfidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>I don't mean to toot my own horn, but<\/strong> this <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/essential-english-vocabulary-for-cooking\/\">pasta I made<\/a> is delicious!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Play_second_fiddle\"><\/span><strong>Play second fiddle<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Fiddles are violins, and in an orchestra, the second fiddle supports the first, or main, violin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outside of music, this idiom suggests that one person is less important than someone else. Notice that you need \"to\" to refer to another person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Jake was tired of <strong>playing second fiddle<\/strong> to Max, so he left to start his own group.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sound_like_a_broken_record\"><\/span><strong>Sound like a broken record<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If a vinyl record is damaged, it may repeat the same part of a song over and over until the needle is moved to a different section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the same way, we say that someone \"sounds like a broken record\" if they say the same thing often.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141702\/avatar_23.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">You need a haircut.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141619\/avatar_15.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">You've told me three times already. You <strong>sound like a broken record<\/strong>!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>Related article: <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/drop-the-needle-vocabulary-for-vinyl-record-collectors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>English Vocabulary for Vinyl Collectors<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Strike_a_chord\"><\/span><strong>Strike a chord<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If something \"strikes a chord\" with you, you understand and feel it very deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I didn't expect to like this book, but it really<strong> struck a chord<\/strong> with me.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If this article has <em>struck a chord<\/em> with you, book a lesson with <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Engoo<\/strong><\/a> to learn more!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Friendly and professional Engoo tutors are ready to help you improve your English in one-on-one lessons 24 hours a day. Practice using these music idioms or study anything you like. Give it a try!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Music is an important part of cultures around the world. In English, you can see its influence in many idioms native speakers use every day. This time, we'll introduce 16 music-related expressions that are useful...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":12784,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,9],"tags":[29,46],"class_list":["post-6691","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-tips","category-travel-fun","tag-idioms","tag-music"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>&#039;Get Into the Rhythm&#039; With English Music Idioms | Engoo Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Make your English conversations more expressive by using these idioms related to music. 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