song and dance

noun

Synonyms of song and dance next

: 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

: 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

: fuss, to-do

For some years, those who know Portuguese wines well have made quite a song and dance about the cornucopia of wonderful grape varieties that are native to Portugal …—

Jane Hall

: 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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

There are grand old-fashioned song and dance spectacles but also solo numbers that do fine without any extravagance. —

Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2025 Same old story, same old song and dance for the Wolves. —

Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2025 Every song and dance on Dancing With the Stars season 33 VelJohnson is beloved for playing patriarch and police officer, Carl Winslow, on Family Matters for nine seasons from 1989 to 1998. —

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2024 Yet, this lovable kids' series continues to teach positive messages through song and dance to this day. —

Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for song and dance

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Song and dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/song%20and%20dance. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

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