tin ear

American  

noun

1. an insensitivity to melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic variety in music.

2. an insensitivity to subtlety or appropriateness in verbal expression.

   a tin ear for clear, precise prose.

3. cauliflower ear.

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Etymology

Origin of tin ear

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

“So, for something this serious, that is a bizarre, really bizarre first sentence and I think has a real tin ear,” he said.

From Salon

Benedict was said to have a tin ear for politics.

From New York Times

Speaking to the BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason, Mr Shapps warned Ms Truss not to have a "tin ear" to voters' concerns about rising living costs and to do a U-turn as soon as possible.

From BBC

The former transport secretary warned Ms Truss not to have a "tin ear" to voters' concerns about rising living costs and to do a U-turn as soon as possible.

From BBC

The credits underline the tin ear of the whole endeavor by declaring that Anne “became what she wanted: world-famous.”

From New York Times