Entry 1
All together now
MeaningInvitation to join in communal singing.
Example
- Come on all of you, let's have a sing-song. I'll count you in - all together now.
Pronunciation
Idioms · 6 entries
Music
What does "Music" mean?
Invitation to join in communal singing.
All together now
Brahms and Lizst
Elvis has left the building
USA, late 20th century.
Face the music
USA, 19th century.
Perfect pitch
Britain, 1920s. Deriving from the earlier ‘absolute pitch’, which is known from the 1880s.
Van Gogh’s ear for music
An ironic joke alluding to Van Gogh’s celebrated loss of his ear, coined in Britain in the late 20th century. The source idiom ‘ear for music’ has been used in Britain since the 18th century.
Entry 2
Brahms and Lizst
MeaningCockney rhyming slang for pissed.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
- Two bottles of wine at home and then four pints in the pub - he was totally Brahms by ten-o-clock.
Pronunciation
Entry 3
Elvis has left the building
MeaningThe primary performer has left. There's no point waiting around.
Usage Worldwide, but more common in the USA than elsewhere.
Example
- Go away. We're closed. It's all over. Nothing to see here. Elvis has left the building. Do I need to go on?
Pronunciation
Entry 4
Face the music
MeaningAccept he unwelcome consequences of one's own actions.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Jack pretended he had a Ph.D. to get the job. Now it's come out that he hasn't he'll have to face the music and resign..
Pronunciation
Entry 5
Perfect pitch
MeaningThe ability to determine a musical note by ear.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- He knew that the cars engine was humming a D sharp just by listening - he has perfect pitch.
Pronunciation
Entry 6
Van Gogh's ear for music
MeaningTone deaf.
Usage Mostly Britain and not a common idiom.
Example
- I'd love to join the choir but my audition was a disaster. The conductor said I had Van Gogh's ear for music.
Pronunciation