Music idioms

English idioms that relate to musical instruments, types of music, or musical performance.

Musical instruments

bang the drum = speak in support of something: "We're banging the drum for womens' rights."

drum something in = keep repeating something: "She drummed in the importance of good manners to her children."

drum up support / business = try and get support / extra business: "They went on TV to drum up support for their new idea."

play second fiddle = be lower down in rank than someone else: "He plays second fiddle to the CEO."

fit as a fiddle = to be fit and healthy: "She plays tennis twice a week – she's as fit as a fiddle."

trumpet something = to broadcast the news loudly: "He keeps trumpeting his promotion. It's a bit annoying.

wet your whistle = to drink something (alcoholic): "Come and wet your whistle!"

Types of music

jazz something up = to make something more interesting: "We're jazzing up our new home page. What do you think?"

march to the same tune = all follow the same plan / say the same thing: "I think the problem with this company is that the management don't march to the same tune."

Musical performance

know the score = understand the rules / situation: "You don't need to tell me how to behave at the meeting. I know the score!"

be pitch-perfect (be note-perfect) = to be able to perform / say something perfectly: "She was pitch-perfect in her presentation."

make a song and dance out of something = make a fuss out of something: "She made a song and dance out of organising the flowers. Just as well we didn't give her anything more complicated to do!"

be music to someone's ears = say something that others want to hear: "Giving us all a day off was music to our ears!"

play something by ear = not plan something: "I don't know what I'm going to say – I'll just play it by ear."

sing from the same songsheet = say the same thing as others (an alternative to "march to the same tune")

give a virtuoso performance = do something perfectly: "He gave a virtuoso performance in his speech. All the audience were moved."