out of key
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The case turned on claims that Live Nation bullied venues and artists, and kept prices high by shutting other ticketers out of key amphitheaters.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
The charges led to an overhaul of FIFA’s leadership, including the ouster of its longtime president Sepp Blatter, and made celebrities out of key players in the case.
From New York Times • Jan. 27, 2024
Leaders of tribes say they don’t want to be left out of key talks.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2023
“At this time, if there are two feature films happening at the same time, we start running out of key crew.”
From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2023
So Nina taught her the words, and they sang together, fumbling through the verses, hopelessly out of key, until the lanterns burned low.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
