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MUSCOVITE Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary
musical terms (when used figuratively)
Hi,
(1) Is "to play out of tune" ever used figuratively? For example, can I say, "The official seems to play out of tune when claiming we have permanent friends as well as permanent interests"?
(2) "on pitch", "off pitch"
2.1. "The whole report was great. Every word was to the point and perfectly on pitch."
2.2. The Foreign Office representative's speech sounded "off pitch" at times."
Are 2.1 and 2.2 passable English?
(3). Suppose a musician has played a do for say do flat.
Can we say it was a dissonant note"? a false note? a wrong note?
Which of the above terms can be used figuratively?
Ex. "Nearly all your judgements were good enough. The final remark was definitely a wrong note though."
Is the above acceptable English?
mus-te
(1) Is "to play out of tune" ever used figuratively? For example, can I say, "The official seems to play out of tune when claiming we have permanent friends as well as permanent interests"?
(2) "on pitch", "off pitch"
2.1. "The whole report was great. Every word was to the point and perfectly on pitch."
2.2. The Foreign Office representative's speech sounded "off pitch" at times."
Are 2.1 and 2.2 passable English?
(3). Suppose a musician has played a do for say do flat.
Can we say it was a dissonant note"? a false note? a wrong note?
Which of the above terms can be used figuratively?
Ex. "Nearly all your judgements were good enough. The final remark was definitely a wrong note though."
Is the above acceptable English?
mus-te
Top answer
Hello Muscovite. 1. I've never heard the expression used as you suggest.
- Hello Muscovite.
- 1.
- I've never heard the expression used as you suggest.
- I've heard people say things like: What the official said was out of tune with the suggestions of his colleagues.
- 2.
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7 Answers
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Hello Muscovite.
1. I've never heard the expression used as you suggest.
I've heard people say things like: What the official said was out of tune with the suggestions of his colleagues.
2. I've never heard the word 'pitch' used in the way you suggest.
I've heard people say things like:
1. I've never heard the expression used as you suggest.
I've heard people say things like: What the official said was out of tune with the suggestions of his colleagues.
2. I've never heard the word 'pitch' used in the way you suggest.
I've heard people say things like:
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The following is based on current US usage.
1. "Play out of tune" is not used figuratively in English. However, you might hear: "He was humming a different tune after the incident." (The incident affected him strongly, to the point of changing his behavior.")
2. "On/off pitch" are not used figuratively in English. The term "pitch" is rather vague and abstract, even in the c
1. "Play out of tune" is not used figuratively in English. However, you might hear: "He was humming a different tune after the incident." (The incident affected him strongly, to the point of changing his behavior.")
2. "On/off pitch" are not used figuratively in English. The term "pitch" is rather vague and abstract, even in the c
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Some further comments:
3. "False note" is apparently British usage. I've come up with some examples of usage:
They hit it off on the wrong note right from the start. ( = their relationship was doomed from the start)
He seemed like the perfect catch: Ivy League law school, great job, seven figure income, great looks. However, his insistence that they attend church ev
3. "False note" is apparently British usage. I've come up with some examples of usage:
They hit it off on the wrong note right from the start. ( = their relationship was doomed from the start)
He seemed like the perfect catch: Ivy League law school, great job, seven figure income, great looks. However, his insistence that they attend church ev
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Here are some examples I found on fraze.it. You can search for other combinations of interest there.
As a young man, Arpino was crude, exuberant and totally in tune with the moment.
In tune with the media to the end, she kept in touch through her Twitter account.
The once-manic president now appears calmer and more in tune with public opinion.
Each s
As a young man, Arpino was crude, exuberant and totally in tune with the moment.
In tune with the media to the end, she kept in touch through her Twitter account.
The once-manic president now appears calmer and more in tune with public opinion.
Each s
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Thank you CalifJim! 
CalifJimNotes can't be dissonant. It takes at least two notes sounding togeth
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