song and dance

noun

1
: a musical performance that combines singing and dancing
often used before another noun
choreographed a song and dance routine
a popular song and dance number
2
a
: a long and often familiar statement, explanation, etc. that is usually not true or pertinent
They gave the teacher the usual song and dance about leaving their homework at home.
… proceeded to engage in the same old song and dance about bringing more jobs and economic development to the area …Julie DiCaro
b
: fuss, to-do
For some years, those who know Portuguese wines well have made quite a song and dance about the cornucopia of wonderful grape varieties that are native to Portugal …Jane Hall
c
: a tedious procedure or scenario : rigmarole
When you travel internationally, there's a whole song and dance of answering questions and declaring items you have to go through before re-entering the U.S.Patrick Allan

Examples of song and dance in a Sentence

instead of simply denying our request, the mayor's representative gave us a song and dance about legal issues and municipal liability
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead, we are given Gomez singing karaoke with a cowboy and Saldana bursting into song and dance during a random gala. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 31 Oct. 2024 Every song and dance on Dancing With the Stars season 33 Many fans thought the low score was blatantly racist, and Parks alluded to as much in her post-show interviews. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2024 Though the movie has been called as a musical, Phillips has said that categorization isn’t entirely accurate, though the story features several song and dance numbers. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024 There are countless song and dance compilations of budots remixes on the internet, and budots Christmas remixes can be heard at holiday parties across the country. Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 4 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for song and dance 

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of song and dance was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near song and dance

Cite this Entry

“Song and dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/song%20and%20dance. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!