song and dance
noun
1
: a musical performance that combines singing and dancing
—often used before another noun
choreographed a song and dance routine
a popular song and dance number
2
a
: a long and often familiar statement, explanation, etc. that is usually not true or pertinent
They gave the teacher the usual song and dance about leaving their homework at home.
… proceeded to engage in the same old song and dance about bringing more jobs and economic development to the area …—
Julie DiCaro
Julie DiCaro
c
: a tedious procedure or scenario : rigmarole
When you travel internationally, there's a whole song and dance of answering questions and declaring items you have to go through before re-entering the U.S.—Patrick Allan
Patrick AllanExamples 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
In early colonial times, churches had strict guidelines on music, song and dance.
—Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025
It’s got the big song and dance numbers, it’s got fun characters, it’s got magic tricks.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
The story of the song and dance is a little convoluted.
—Mark Gray, People.com, 3 July 2025
The actors do take some interesting risks – talking while eating, breaking into song and dance.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for song and dance
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Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025
It’s got the big song and dance numbers, it’s got fun characters, it’s got magic tricks.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
The story of the song and dance is a little convoluted.
—Mark Gray, People.com, 3 July 2025
The actors do take some interesting risks – talking while eating, breaking into song and dance.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for song and dance
Cite this Entry
“Song and dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/song%20and%20dance. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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