tin ear

tin ear
noun
1. an inability to distinguish differences in pitch
• Syn: ↑tone deafness
• Hypernyms: ↑deafness, ↑hearing loss
2. insensitivity to the appropriateness or subtlety of language
-

he has a tin ear for dialogue

• Hypernyms: ↑insensitivity, ↑insensitiveness

* * *

noun
2. : a deafened or insensitive ear

motorists … have developed a glass eye and a tin ear for traffic safety programs — Springfield (Massachusetts) Union

only at his best does he transcend a tin ear and color blindness — George Mayberry

* * *

1. an insensitivity to melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic variety in music.
2. an insensitivity to subtlety or appropriateness in verbal expression: a tin ear for clear, precise prose.
[1915-20]

* * *

tin ear,
Informal.
1. a) inability to perceive small differences in sounds. b) = tone-deafness. c) a tone-deaf person.
2. = cauliflower ear. (Cf. ↑cauliflower ear)

* * *

noun, pl ⋯ ears [count]
chiefly US : a lack of ability to hear something (such as music or speech) in an accurate and sensitive way

My wife is a talented musician, but I have a tin ear.

a writer with a tin ear for dialogue [=who writes dialogue that does not sound real]


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • tin ear — tin′ ear′ n. 1) an insensitivity to or inability to distinguish differences in musical sound 2) an insensitivity to subtlety in verbal expression …   From formal English to slang

  • tin ear — ☆ tin ear n. Informal a lack of discriminating sensitivity to music, speech, etc …   English World dictionary

  • tin ear — {n. phr.} 1. A lack of sensitivity to noise. * /The construction noise doesn t bother Fred; he s got a tin ear./ 2. A lack of musical ability; state of being tone deaf. * /People with a tin ear make poor choir members./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • tin ear — {n. phr.} 1. A lack of sensitivity to noise. * /The construction noise doesn t bother Fred; he s got a tin ear./ 2. A lack of musical ability; state of being tone deaf. * /People with a tin ear make poor choir members./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • tin\ ear — n. phr. 1. A lack of sensitivity to noise. The construction noise doesn t bother Fred; he s got a tin ear. 2. A lack of musical ability; state of being tone deaf. People with a tin ear make poor choir members …   Словарь американских идиом

  • tin ear — 1. an insensitivity to melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic variety in music. 2. an insensitivity to subtlety or appropriateness in verbal expression: a tin ear for clear, precise prose. 3. See cauliflower ear. [1915 20] * * * …   Universalium

  • tin ear — unmusical ear, unable to appreciate music    With my tin ear, I couldn t say if she was singing flat …   English idioms

  • tin ear — noun Insensitivity to and inability to appreciate the elements of performed music or the rhythm, elegance, or nuances of language. Despite their careless scholarship and a less tangible quality that some would call a tin ear for poetry, Morris… …   Wiktionary

  • tin ear — noun Date: 1935 a deafened or insensitive ear …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • (a) tin ear — informal if someone has a tin ear, they do not have a natural ability to understand or enjoy music. Even to someone with a tin ear like mine, their singing sounded pretty awful …   New idioms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”