song and dance

noun

Save Word

Definition of song and dance

1 : a theatrical performance (such as a vaudeville performance) combining singing and dancing

2 : a long and often familiar statement or explanation that is usually not true or pertinent

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about song and dance

Keep scrolling for more

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 This isn’t to say there’s no possible upside to Facebook doing this song and dance around audio. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, "Facebook Bursts Into the Live Audio Scene," 20 Apr. 2021 Reagan, for his part, did his song and dance for greed and militarism, leaving government to wonks who struggled to make good on his Hollywood promises. — Virginia Heffernan Los Angeles Times, Star Tribune, "The metaphors and truths of the Reagan and Mondale eras," 23 Apr. 2021 Try listening to this iconic track for more than thirty seconds without breaking out into song and dance. — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, "51 Best 80s Songs That Stand the Test of Time," 31 Mar. 2021 Amanda Lee, a Carroll County native and resident, and co-author Shante Willis, a Virginia resident, say their new book is a bedtime experience for children, with a song and dance designed to be a part of a daily bed time routine. — Yasmine Askari, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "‘Relatable to all children’: Moms from Carroll County and Virginia co-author book to fight bedtime blues," 15 Mar. 2021 The events will include main stage group and individual performances of traditional song and dance from a variety of cultures. — Sean P. Means, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Salt Lake City’s Living Traditions Festival will return in May, with a series of smaller events," 12 Mar. 2021 The story also includes a plot twist and a song and dance for children to follow along with. — Yasmine Askari, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "‘Relatable to all children’: Moms from Carroll County and Virginia co-author book to fight bedtime blues," 15 Mar. 2021 The phrase is supposed to be a vaudeville-like introduction to the film’s titular song and dance, delivered by Ma’s young nephew, Sylvester Brown (Dusan Brown). — Anne Cohen, refinery29.com, "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Shines A Light On The Fierce Woman Behind The Greasepaint," 19 Dec. 2020 Warmed by cups of hot chocolate, friends and fans were indeed treated to a traffic-stopping display of song and dance by the Sing Harlem Choir and New York City Ballet. — Zachary Weiss, Vogue, "Dancing in the Street—Ballerinas Performed on Madison Avenue to Celebrate the New LoveShackFancy Store," 7 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'song and dance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about song and dance

Dictionary Entries near song and dance

Statistics for song and dance

Last Updated

8 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Song and dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/song%20and%20dance. Accessed 10 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA