8 New English Idioms for Your Vocabulary [Music Idioms]
In English we say, “Music makes the world go round.” A fantastic music idiom in English that shows the importance of music in our society and culture. To make the world go round means that normal, ordinary things cannot happen without music. (Note: We also say, “Love makes the world go round.”)
Music can be magical and powerful. It can touch our soul, it can move us emotionally. And music can connect us to each other, to our culture, and to our language. It gives us something to share together and talk about.
For a light, fun topic in this week’s Confident English, I’d like to share with you some of the most common idioms we have in English related to music.
These are wonderful idioms to know so you can use them in everyday conversation. Whether you’re talking to peers at work, long-distance friends online, or tourists in your city, here are 8 of the most common music idioms for your daily English.
8 New Music Idioms in English for Your Daily Conversations
Elevator music:
Soft, pleasant but boring music often played quietly in public spaces (such as elevators)
Example:
“I wish they would stop playing this boring elevator music. It’s putting me to sleep! Why can’t they play something fun like jazz or rock?”
Sound like a broken record:
Someone who repeats the same thing again and again
Examples:
“Mom, I know! I heard you the first time… you sound like a broken record. I’ll clean my room after dinner.”
“I hate to sound like a broken record but I’m going to say it again: context is everything when learning new vocabulary!”
Jam session:
Improvised music in an informal setting
Examples:
“The band has an amazing jam session right in the middle of the concert. You know they are true musicians when they can improvise like that!”
“Hey, there’s a great jam session happening on the other side of the park. Let’s go check it out.”
Blow your own trumpet:
Proudly boasting about your own achievements, talents, or successes
Examples:
“That’s an interesting question. I don’t want to blow my own trumpet but I think one of my unique talents is my ability to understand other’s, even if I don’t have the same opinion or if I don’t agree. It makes it easy for me to find common ground with others.”
“Bill is always blowing his own trumpet. I’m kind of tired of hearing how “great” he is.”
Music to my ears:
Good news; information that makes someone happy
Example:
“I passed??? Oh, that’s music to my ears!!! I was so nervous about the exam!”
Face the music:
To accept unpleasant consequences or an unpleasant reality
Example:
“I know you’re upset about losing this client. It’s a very big client to lose but it’s time for us to face the music and go forward. We’ll have to work hard for a while until we can sign on someone new.”
Play by ear:
To perform (or play an instrument) without practice or preparation; indicate uncertainty in a situation
Examples:
“My brother has never taken a piano lesson in his life but he can play anything. He just plays by ear.”
“We’re not as prepared as we should be for this presentation, so we’ll just have to play it by ear.”
As fit as a fiddle:
To be in good health
Example:
“We just got all the medical reports back and you’re as fit as a fiddle. Keep exercising regularly, eat well and you’ll stay that way.”
And now it’s your turn! I’d love to have you try using some of these idioms!
Choose 2 or 3 of your favorite words from this list and create your own examples. Be sure to create sentences you can use in your real English life (this will help you remember them!).
Then share your examples below.
Have a great week!
~ Annemarie
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U just play by your ear even when you are fit as fiddle
Another great music idiom. “pull out all the stops” pipe organ reference… E.g. They pulled out all the stops with a lavish wedding.
Oh, that is a great one. Thanks for sharing it, Deborah!
Oh, what a beauty
When I heard about cooutries opening the borders, it was music to my ears. I can’t be happier to go on vacation in my home country.
Wonderful job with ‘music to my ears.’ That would certainly be good news.
Hi Annemarie,
thank you for this session! Here are my favorites.
The team was not as prepared as it should be for the presentation of the new software features. But all team members faced the music and took a deep breath. They entered the stage and played by ear. They shown the new software and it was working. It really was successful. The customer whispered to me that he were satisfied and that was music to my ears.
Oh, this is so fun to read, Sabine! Nice job using several idioms from this lesson.
One sentence to review, “They shown…” Since this happened in the past, we would the past simple here. What would you change?
Every time I study English is music for my ears.
The music is a special gift from God.
We were born with vocal acords and we emite sound , we can sing in differnts tones. Birds produce beautiful melodies.
But when I receive good news fron long distance , those are music to my ears.
I remember years ago I had a boss who was a broken récord.
Tank you Anne Marie for your English lessons, I enjoy very much.
Francisco.
My mother is 87 years old. She is affected by light dementia, but she seems to be just funny when she repeats several times the same things. She sounds like a broken record. My family has to face the music and to hire a nurse that can look after her.
Thank you for sharing your examples with us, Laura. I hope your mom will be fine!
I’m concerned because my learning English is like a Jam session, I’m steel waiting for a Job interview which doesn’t happen I’ll face the music, but I really believe in few days I’m going to receive a new e-mail which will be music to my ears.
What an interesting example, Martello! You combined all 3 idioms in one sentence. Thank you for sharing and we wish you great success in your next job interview.
Hello Annemarie!
I really enjoy the music, one of my favorite film is ‘The great showman’, you can hear fantastic songs. But my idiom for this lesson:
I would like everybody can be as fit as a fiddle.
In this moment, it is my wish.
Thank you for sharing your lessons.
Thank you for your comment, Jesús. We’re glad you enjoyed this lesson and we wish you continued success in your English efforts.
I was once to a Pat Metheny jam session and believe me, it was a one-of-a kind session which is still buzzing around my head! It is a must to attend one of his concert. You won´t be be dissappointed!
Great lesson Annemarie! Thank you so much. I liked all the idioms you have shared with us. Here is my example for them:
I had a meeting that I didn’t have time to prepare for so I had to play by ear when talking to our clients. It went pretty good however I don’t want to sound like I blow my own trumpet, but I am satisfied with that meeting.
Hi Ana. Thank you for your comment. We’re happy that you enjoyed the lesson. I like your examples. I guess we all play by ear in our meetings sometimes. 🙂
Ok Tanya, I agree, but remember to eat vegetables, they are really important to have a healthy life. See you soon!!!!!!
Very soon
🙂
Aaahh! I love this! “Face the music” is my favorite. I play piano and that idiom is so great! I’ve never heard it before!
I’m glad you found some fun new idioms. How would you use ‘face the music’ in your own example?
My son has a music company, named Magic Moschitos. Their music makes me always fire. I love to be among the dancers at the moments of james session. A new patient entered in my ambulance two days ago, and thanked me that I recongnised the real trouble of her dauther as I kept her out of deep depression, and now she is wellbeeing again. This was a music to my ears. I’m always happy if I can say to my patients:you are as fit as a fiddle. Can say this sentense so as: I’m always happy to say to my… Read more »
Hello Andras, Thank you for sharing your efforts with these idioms!! How exciting that your son has a music company or group with great jam sessions (note: the word “jam” is always singular in this idiom). Perfect use of “music to my ears.” And to answer your questions, you could say: I’m always happy if I can say to my patients: you are as fit as a fiddle (this is your first example, and it’s correct). Or: I’m always happy to tell my patients they’re as fit as a fiddle. For the last example, I’m not sure what you mean… Read more »
Hello Anne Marie.
Today I want to tell you about my work day. I work in medical company but I haven’t medical education. Aniway I work here and sell medical devices playing by ear. Now l am working with one client he send me the request that was music to my ears. And now in the period of crisis it was great opportunity. And I like a broken record want to thanks the God for supporting me. And I hope we will sign the contract finally.
Great job Kamila!
So you sometimes feel unprepared for work – is that correct? And with you, I hope your client will sign the contract!!
One change, we need to add a verb to your sentence, “And I …. like a broken record.” We use the verb “sound” so you could say, “I sound like a broken record [when I thank God for supporting me].” Again, well done and thank you so much for sharing your examples!!