song and dance

noun

Synonyms of song and dance next

: 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

: 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

: 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

: 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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Song and dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/song%20and%20dance. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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