song and dance
noun
1
: a theatrical performance (such as a vaudeville performance) combining singing and dancing
2
: a long and often familiar statement or explanation that is usually not true or pertinent
Synonyms
Examples of song and dance in a Sentence
instead of simply denying our request, the mayor's representative gave us a song and dance about legal issues and municipal liability
Recent Examples on the Web
Dancing to the right tune What’s a ball without a little song and dance?
—
Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2024
In Honduras, we were exposed to the culture with song and dance, history lesson opposite the bright blue sea from a knowledgeable local, as well as a taste of the traditional taro bread.
—Yasemen Kaner-White, theweek, 30 Apr. 2024
The party features a beauty pageant, a raffle, song and dance — and petty corruption and ineptitude.
—Emily Tamkin, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2024
Ashley Palmer-Watts (The Fat Duck, Dinner by Heston) heads up the kitchen, making a song and dance about the wood-burning grill and oven, a dining room centerpiece.
—Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for song and dance 
Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2024
In Honduras, we were exposed to the culture with song and dance, history lesson opposite the bright blue sea from a knowledgeable local, as well as a taste of the traditional taro bread.
—Yasemen Kaner-White, theweek, 30 Apr. 2024
The party features a beauty pageant, a raffle, song and dance — and petty corruption and ineptitude.
—Emily Tamkin, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2024
Ashley Palmer-Watts (The Fat Duck, Dinner by Heston) heads up the kitchen, making a song and dance about the wood-burning grill and oven, a dining room centerpiece.
—Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for song and dance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'song and dance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Song and dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/song%20and%20dance. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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