song and dance

noun

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

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 Each outlandish episode is filled with wicked wit and even busts out with a bit of song and dance. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2024 The Holy Ghost caught wind of The Tennessee Kids and JT’s backup singers, too, as the party of nine hurled themselves to the front of the stage, joining Timberlake in a cathartic song and dance sequence. Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 1 Feb. 2024 And on March 30, there will be a family-friendly program of classic cartoons with organ accompaniment in the morning, followed by an evening of music, song and dance presented by several San Diego nonprofit arts organizations. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2023 But seldom has a single song and dance turned into a collective act of civil disobedience. Leily Nikounazar, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2023 Deadline recently asserted that test audiences tend to snub musicals and that the only way to attract ticket buyers is to conceal the song and dance, like sneaking grated vegetables into brownie batter. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2024 Not everyone identifies as a drama geek, but song and dance are not obscure enthusiasms. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2024 Instead, nearly every scene, subplot and gag from the original will be painstakingly revived and revisited, sometimes with a wink and sometimes with an insipid burst of song and dance. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024 The general premise remains pretty much the same — teenager Cady must learn the social hierarchy at a new school and gets wrapped up in the Barbie-pink world of the popular girl, also known as the Plastics — but expect more Gen Z influence and social media against a background of song and dance. Patricia Karounos, refinery29.com, 29 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'song and dance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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