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carry a tune

Idioms  
  1. Accurately sing a melody, as in Dean loves to listen to music but he can't carry a tune. [Early 1800s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Musical talent evaded them their whole life — their stepdad once told them they couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket — and yet, they beat on like a boat against the current.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 27, 2023

Her grandmother was the first person to recognize that she could carry a tune, though it was a childhood trip to Dollywood, she says, that convinced her she wanted to be a musician.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2022

Suddenly, the issue of who can carry a tune pales in comparison to the question of where families and businesses will go when bulldozers arrive in Fillmore.

From New York Times • Sep. 1, 2022

I sang something, and he said, ‘Man, you can really carry a tune.’

From Fox News • Jan. 23, 2022

She’d sing this little good morning song even though she can’t carry a tune.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden