as in rigamarole
language marked by abstractions, jargon, euphemisms, and circumlocutions
instead of simply denying our request, the mayor's representative gave us a song and dance about legal issues and municipal liability
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Recent Examples of song and dance
The warmth between the three leads is believable and although the tendency to have Lane, Bomer and Graham break into choreographed song and dance routines for episodic climaxes quickly feels lazy, a cold open homage to Chicago produced my biggest laugh of the 10-episode season.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
This is all a familiar song and dance: Ambitious ideas about reducing health care spending quickly run into political reality, which includes heavy backlash from the health care industry.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Chita Rivera onstage originated the role of Aurora/Ingrid who Lopez now struts on screen in vibrant song and dance.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025
The return was commemorated in ceremonies of song and dance, accompanied by roasted pigs, by locals.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for song and dance
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
This is all a familiar song and dance: Ambitious ideas about reducing health care spending quickly run into political reality, which includes heavy backlash from the health care industry.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Chita Rivera onstage originated the role of Aurora/Ingrid who Lopez now struts on screen in vibrant song and dance.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025
The return was commemorated in ceremonies of song and dance, accompanied by roasted pigs, by locals.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for song and dance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for song and dance
Noun
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The Conclave actor joined the cast as Albus Dumbledore despite anti-trans rhetoric from author J.K. Rowling, who is an executive producer on the show.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2025
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However, some of Poilievre's rhetoric has been viewed by Canadians as Trump-esque, such as his embrace of populist sentiments and calling opponents by nicknames, experts have said.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The bust was followed by months of prolonged legal rigmarole.—
John Semley,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2025
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Even with all of the fees and rigmarole that entails.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As always, Yellowjackets is full of mind-bending detours, supernatural gobbledygook, and foliage-laden costumes.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2025
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Apologies to the Lois Lane stans out there, but Adams is mostly on hand in these movies to deliver stern gobbledygook (something about isotopes?) and stare at Henry Cavill’s cheekbones.—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Furtado, with a similar penchant for stretching out vowels and embracing gibberish, does the same with Elliott here, at times shrill but still compelling. 73.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
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But at the heart of it is an army of armchair scientists tapping into the unknown, shattering relaxation boundaries and spewing gibberish all in the hopes that someone out there will tingle.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Song and dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/song%20and%20dance. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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