Phrases borrowed from melodies

What is “all that jazz”, anyway? Discover the meaning of 10 music phrases

Image: Will Francis

Nobody can go through life without a little music. It is so imprinted in our brain, that we even mention music even when it’s not the topic of conversation. Where do you think the expression "strikes a chord" comes from? Music of course! Just like that, there are dozens of expressions based on the musical industry or that are directly taken from iconic songs, that is, songs that we all know and love! So, in this article, we’ve gathered 10 of these everyday expressions and gone through their origins and meanings! Are you ready? Let’s hit it!

Image: Kristijan Arsov

Picture a pipe organ, they are pretty common in churches and places alike. Do you know how they work? In short, a pipe organ works thanks to pressurized air flowing through the pipes. Which pipes make a sound is the choice of the player, of course. Well, when an organist pulls out all the stops, all the pipes sing together, at their maximum volume. Can you see where we are going with this?

In everyday language, if someone pulls all the stops, that means they are giving their all, making their best effort. A metaphor for the organ pipe filling a room with this unique sound, this phrase screams "Go big, or go home!"

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Have you ever been in a heated discussion with someone for hours only to find out you were practically saying the same things with different words? We’re sorry to tell you, but you’ve just spent hours preaching to the choir.

This expression naturally comes not only from the music field but from the musical moment every church has: There’s a presentation of a choir and all the people in the church preach to it.

In our everyday language, doing this means trying to convince someone of something they had already agreed on from the beginning! Kind of a pointless argument, and a waste of time!

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Now, there’s a similar scenario in which you spent hours saying the same thing over and over again, do you know what we mean? Well, in that case, you know what it means to sound like a broken record.

This expression comes from vinyl records that get stuck on a scratch and endlessly replay the same sound. Once is enough, twice is plainly annoying.

In a humorous context, it can be fun. But it can quickly go downwards because who wants to keep repeating the same thing when nobody seems to listen?

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

In the old days, whenever something important happened to the true VIPs, like a king or other members of royalty, there was a herald who blew a trumpet before announcing big news. In modern times, this doesn’t happen anymore, but you could blow your own trumpet. Can you imagine what that means?

"Blowing your own trumpet" means bragging about your achievements. In short, you’re your own herald. While it’s okay to celebrate your wins, there’s an art to doing it gracefully. Nobody likes a constant bragger, but a little self-promotion is healthy and necessary. You know, balance is the key to a good tune!

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Remember when we said nobody could go through life without a little music? We’re talking about those songs that transport each of us to a happy, quiet, relaxing place in our minds, can you think of that song? Well, now think of how you feel when you receive good news. Isn’t that just like music to your ears?

In short, this phrase refers to the joy one feels when receiving good ones as a parallelism with the feeling we get with certain songs, which is of course unique and subjective.

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Have you ever caught yourself doing a total 180 on something? That’s what it means to "change your tune." Picture a musician in the middle of a performance suddenly switching up the melody. That’s a bold move, right? We’re not saying it’s good or bad, it’s just bold!

This phrase is all about shifting your attitude, like going from grumpy to chill or from critical to downright supportive. Let’s be real: life’s too short to stick to the wrong vibe. Flexibility can be a superpower, so don’t hesitate to remix your outlook when the situation calls for it. New day, new tune!

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You’re watching the saddest movie in the world and it doesn’t do anything for you. Now, you may be watching the silliest commercial on TV, and your heart scrunches and you start feeling nostalgic and melancholic. You know that moment when something just hits differently? That’s what we mean when we say "It strikes a chord."

Just like music can stir up all our feelings, certain words, stories, or ideas can really resonate with us. Maybe it’s a heartfelt memory or a truth that speaks right to your soul, they are unique to each of us. So when you feel those emotional vibes, let them play on.

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Harps make some seriously angelic music, but "harping on" about something? Not so heavenly to be honest. Now, what does it mean? It’s used when someone keeps repeating the same point or nagging about an issue to the point of exhaustion.

We’ve all been there, either doing it or dealing with it, and let’s face it, it’s not exactly fun for anyone. Nobody wants to be the human equivalent of a broken record, right? And you guessed it right; they are synonyms of the phrase above. If there are two phrases about this, it is because nobody wants to hear the same thing a thousand times!

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The origins of this phrase are not completely certain, but the musical "Chicago" definitely made its popularity skyrocket. Why? The song "All That Jazz" opens the musical and it’s as catchy as versatile.

Now, as for the phrase, it means "all the extras" or something like "everything that goes with it." It is kind of saying "etcetera" in a funny, musical way!

Image: Calum MacAulay

No one loves being second fiddle, but sometimes, that’s exactly where the magic happens. This saying comes from orchestras, where the first violin leads while the second provides support. Sure, being in the spotlight is great, but harmony depends on teamwork and we all need a little support from time to time.

Think of all the behind-the-scenes roles that make big moments shine, without them, the whole thing falls apart. Life is pretty much the same, it’s not always about being front and center. When you’re playing second fiddle, you’re still a crucial part of the melody.

Pet Sounds

12 animal signals you've been misinterpreting

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While we take for granted our ability to understand the pets who live near us, animal vocalizations and visual clues can and often are misinterpreted. Similar sounds or actions might mean different things, depending on the context. Take a look at these examples of similar signals in different situations and how their meanings differ.

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We usually associate a cat’s purr with a calm, comfortable moment, but that is not always the case. Purring can also be exhibited in uncomfortable or stressful conditions. When a cat is stressed or even hurt, they will sometimes purr.

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We tend to perceive the wag of the dog’s tail as a positive thing, but many different, subtle cues can be given off with the tail. Is the tail wagging more to the left or the right? How fast is the tail wagging? Is it above the midline or below?

All of those different movements mean entirely different things. Some of them are happy. Some are pre-aggression warning signs. Learn to read the context and what the dog is reacting to, in order to find out what a dog’s tail is communicating.

Image: Duc Van

It is no secret that dogs bark for many different reasons, such as alerting you to strangers, expressing excitement, or signaling distress. Recognizing the type of bark can help you address their needs more effectively.

As always, context matters. A dog barking at a mail carrier might be different from barking during playtime. Paying attention to these cues will help you understand the meaning of your dog’s barking.

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Similarly to dogs barking, cats meow for various reasons, such as seeking attention, expressing hunger, or signaling discomfort. Each type of meow has a unique sound and meaning.

When and in what situations a cat meows is essential for understanding their message. A cat meowing at the door might want to go outside, while a meow in the kitchen might indicate hunger.

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Not all growls indicate aggression. As every dog owner knows, some might be playful. Learning to differentiate between the two can prevent potential conflicts.

A growl when encountering another dog is a clear sign of aggression. A growl while playing tug-of-war using a stick can be a playful one.

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Anyone who looks at the ears of a cat will notice that they are highly expressive. For example, forward-facing ears indicate curiosity or happiness, while flattened ears can signal fear or aggression.

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A dog’s ears are highly expressive and can tell us a lot about their mood. Erect ears might indicate alertness, while flattened ears can signal fear or submission.

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A cat will use its eyes to communicate trust and affection. When a cat blinks slowly, it is expressing a sign of trust, and it can even be reciprocated to strengthen your bond with your cat.

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Whether it is the dreamy gaze of a dachshund or the alert eyes of a Jack Russell, dogs’ eyes are very expressive and are used to communicate many different emotions. For example, a direct stare indicates dominance, and a soft gaze shows affection.

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You might think that a cat rubbing against your leg is always a sign of affection. And in many cases, this is true, but it is also a way of marking their territory by rubbing their smell into your legs.

Image: Hetziel Perez

Dogs tilt their heads when uncertain about something or trying to hear better. This is often seen when they are curious or waiting for more information from their environment or their owner.

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Whenever a cat rolls on its back, it is showing that it feels safe and trusts you. This can also be an invitation to play.