Idioms about Music

1. Warm up. Work with a partner

What idioms do you remember? Say one idiom, your groupmates will guess its
meaning.

2. Fill in the gaps

tune song music play

1. If we do not protect environment now, I guarantee we will face the _ _ _ _ _ _ in the
future.
2. I don’tknow why Marry is in the choir. She can’t carry a _ _ _ _ _ _.
3. She was wearing a beautiful hat which she had picked up for a _ _ _ _ _ _ in Camden
Market.
4. Our teacher told us that we will get a long winter holiday and this was just _ _ _ _ _ _
to my ears.
5. We just had a little kiss, but now he’s making this whole _ _ _ _ _ and dance about it.
6. We can’t make a decision yet. Let’s just _ _ _ _ _ _ it by ear.
7. We have been in _ _ _ _ _ _ with each other ever since we met in primary school.
8. Irene was determined to be the star of the show and she was not going to _ _ _ _ _ _
second fiddle.

3. Match the definitions to the idioms. Write the idiom

1. to play a secondary or minor role with regards to someone else ______________

2. something you are pleased to hear about _____________________________
3. to accept responsibility for sth. you have done _________________________
4. to improvise, to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops _____________
5. to be in agreement or sympathy with other people ______________________
6. to pay a very little amount to obtain something _________________________
7. to make an unnecessary fuss about something _________________________
8. to lack musical ability _______________________________________
4. Discussion

1. What is music to your ears? Try to provide as many examples as possible.

2. If the person can’t carry a tune, is it possible to teach them sing?
3. Are you a natural born leader or do you prefer the role of the second
fiddle?
4. Do you prepare to the tests at school or do you usually play it by ear?
5. Give an example of a thing that you have bought for a song.
6. Do you think you are in tune with your parents or do you feel the
generation gap? Do you tell your parents about your life?
7. Do you like to make a song and dance about your achievements? Do you
like getting a lot of attention from other people?
8. What do you do when you want to avoid facing the music? Tell us about
your tricks.

4. Discussion

1. What is music to your ears? Provide as many examples as possible.

2. If the person can’t carry a tune, is it possible to teach them sing?
3. Are you a natural born leader or do you prefer the role of the second
fiddle?
4. Do you prepare to the tests at school or do you usually play it by ear?
5. Give an example of a thing that you have bought for a song.
6. Do you think you are in tune with your parents or do you feel the
generation gap? Do you tell your parents about your life?
7. Do you like to make a song and dance about your achievements? Do you
like getting a lot of attention from other people?
8. What do you do when you want to avoid facing the music? Tell us about
your tricks.
 Idioms with musical instruments:
Do you know the names of the following musical instruments and objects?
Write them down:

1. ______________________
2. ______________________
3. ______________________
4. ______________________
5. ______________________

Put the name of the instrument into the idiom. What is the meaning of each
one:
1) As fit as a __________
2) As slick [спритний] as a __________
3) As clear as a ___________
4) As tight as a ___________
5) As musical as the holes of a ________ without a ___________

Change the words in italics in the sentences into the idioms:

1. You may feel sick now, but after a few days of rest and plenty of liquids, you’ll be in
good health again. ______________________
2. With these new headphones, you'll be able to hear music with the best sound quality
ever. ________________________________
3. I don’t know why Marry is in the choir, she can’t carry a tune. ________________
4. My new scooter is very fast and maneuverable in traffic. ___________________
5. You don’t need to worry about leaks; this tent is firm and secure.
____________________________________________________________
To play second fiddle has the equivalent in Russian and Ukrainian. Do you know it?
What about other similar idioms? Compare:

Танцювати під чию-небудь дудку

В одну дудку грати

Наче пластинку заїло

Змінити пластинку

Заспівати іншої пісні

To play second fiddle has the equivalent in Russian and Ukrainian. Do you know it?
What about other similar idioms? Compare:

Танцювати під чию-небудь дудку

В одну дудку грати

Наче пластинку заїло

Змінити пластинку

Заспівати іншої пісні

Keys:
1. If we do not protect environment now, I guarantee we will face the music in the
future.
2. I don’tknow why Marry is in the choir. She can’t carry a tune.
3. She was wearing a beautiful hat which she had picked up for a song in Camden
Market.
4. Our teacher told us that we will get a long winter holiday and this was just music to
my ears.
5. We just had a little kiss, but now he’s making this whole song and dance about it.
6. We can’t make a decision yet. Let’s just play it by ear.
7. We have been in tune with each other ever since we met in primary school.
8. Irene was determined to be the star of the show and she was not going to play second
fiddle.

1) As fit as a fiddle – in good health, very active, in good form

2) As slick [спритний] as a whistle – quick, smooth [плавний], skillful
[вмілий, вправний], manoeuvrable;
3) As clear as a bell – very easy to hear; good quality of sound; rapidly
understood.
4) As tight as a drum – very tight as the skin of the drumhead.
5) As musical as the holes of a flute without a flute – with no musical talent

Ukrainian analogues:
To dance to somebody’s tune
To sing the same tune
You sound like a broken record
To change the tune
To sing a different tune