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Play the music level, then come back here.

Play Music

5 music idioms, with pictures

Look at the picture, read the meaning, and listen to the example.

A relaxed woman plays a piano with no music on the stand. She closes her eyes and holds one hand near her ear to listen.

What does “Play it by ear” mean?

“Play it by ear” means to decide what to do as things happen, with no plan.

Example: We have no plans for Saturday. Let’s just play it by ear.

Emoji clue: play button, ear

An older singer in a long blue dress holds red roses and waves goodbye on a stage. Next to her, a white swan sings, with music notes in the air.

What does “Swan song” mean?

“Swan song” means the last thing someone does before they stop or leave.

Example: Tonight’s show is her swan song. She retires next week.

Emoji clue: swan, music note

A worried young man holds a broken laptop in front of his angry boss’s desk. Behind the boss, three musicians play loud trumpets and a drum.

What does “Face the music” mean?

“Face the music” means to accept the bad results of something you did.

Example: He broke the company laptop, and now he has to face the music.

Emoji clue: nervous face, music notes

A man and a woman dance the tango. They step on each other’s feet at the same time and look at each other with annoyed faces.

What does “It takes two to tango” mean?

“It takes two to tango” means when two people have a problem, both are part of it.

Example: Don’t blame only Tom for the fight. It takes two to tango.

Emoji clue: number two, woman dancing, man dancing

A happy woman at a kitchen table sees a green check mark on her laptop. Colorful music notes fly from the laptop to her ears, and she raises her fist.

What does “Music to my ears” mean?

“Music to my ears” means good news that makes you very happy to hear.

Example: You got the job? That’s music to my ears!

Emoji clue: music notes, arrow, ear

More idioms

Feelings idioms, Time idioms, Work idioms, Money idioms, Food idioms, Travel idioms, Weather idioms, Animal idioms, Body part idioms, Home idioms, Health idioms, Love idioms, Sports idioms, Color idioms, Friendship idioms, Clothes idioms, Water idioms, Cat idioms, Dog idioms, Fire idioms, Business idioms, Horse idioms, Fish idioms, Bird idioms, Heart idioms, Sea idioms, American slang idioms, More American slang idioms, American shopping slang idioms, American work slang idioms, American reply slang idioms, American mood slang idioms, Flower idioms, Tree idioms, Sleep idioms, Luck idioms, Star idioms, Moon idioms, Snow idioms, Light idioms, Egg idioms, Wind idioms, Sun idioms, Hand idioms, Car idioms, Game idioms, Eye idioms, Road idioms, Head idioms, Foot idioms, Blood idioms, Cooking idioms, Thinking idioms, Teeth idioms, Ear idioms, Mouth idioms, Back idioms, Wall idioms, Brain idioms, Book idioms, Nose idioms, Ideas idioms, Face idioms, Lip idioms, Thumb idioms, Door idioms, Sweat idioms, Gold idioms, Silver idioms, Pie idioms, or all Idiom Rush levels.

100 common English idioms and their meanings

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