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
Julie DiCaro
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
Patrick AllanExamples 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
On stage at the Parsons Theatre at Northglenn Arts, the actors help each other through song and dance, reinforcing the strength of the collective beyond any one lead.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
There’s this great song and dance scene, and there’s that beautiful set that’s these uplit buildings that are super deco.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 Apr. 2025
And most formulas are the same song and dance — but not Merit Beauty’s new Signature Sheer Lip Liner, which I was sent to try.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
But at those prices, grabbing a beer and giving into the song and dance that comes afterward is far easier to do.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for song and dance
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Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
There’s this great song and dance scene, and there’s that beautiful set that’s these uplit buildings that are super deco.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 Apr. 2025
And most formulas are the same song and dance — but not Merit Beauty’s new Signature Sheer Lip Liner, which I was sent to try.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
But at those prices, grabbing a beer and giving into the song and dance that comes afterward is far easier to do.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 22 May. 2025.
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