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
Kids will take a trip in song and dance to Miss Jamie’s Farm at 10:30 a.m. on July 19.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
Hodgson, after hearing a podcast episode about Operation Mincemeat, was the first to imagine the twisted heist in song and dance.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 29 May 2025
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and more beloved characters will line the streets with song and dance.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 17 May 2025
Just in time for the real-life Eurovision Song Contest, the TARDIS takes a detour to the 2925 version of the annual song and dance jamboree.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for song and dance
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Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
Hodgson, after hearing a podcast episode about Operation Mincemeat, was the first to imagine the twisted heist in song and dance.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 29 May 2025
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and more beloved characters will line the streets with song and dance.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 17 May 2025
Just in time for the real-life Eurovision Song Contest, the TARDIS takes a detour to the 2925 version of the annual song and dance jamboree.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 May 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 9 Jun. 2025.
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