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

“There are so many ways to ease the grief for the Jewish community in Bondi, without having a tin ear for the rest of multicultural Australia.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

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 • Oct. 2, 2022

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

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2022

But if the council continues to display a tin ear, no one can blame Austin residents for opting for a referendum on CodeNext.

From Washington Times • Oct. 24, 2017

They have a tin ear for its nuances of meaning and emphasis.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker