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
Through liberating song and dance and bold visuals, this odyssey follows the journey of four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Mar. 2025
There was also a song and dance number about the contenders’ notoriously long running times, as well as an appearance by a hoodie-wearing Adam Sandler.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
Barney & Friends, which was produced from 1992 to 2009, was a childhood staple and introduced viewers to Barney, an imaginary and perpetually optimistic tyrannosaurus rex that teaches lessons about friendship through song and dance.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
Lee’s followers deemed her the female Jesus Christ, and her worshippers prayed through song and dance, hence her story getting the musical biopic treatment.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 Feb. 2025
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Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Mar. 2025
There was also a song and dance number about the contenders’ notoriously long running times, as well as an appearance by a hoodie-wearing Adam Sandler.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
Barney & Friends, which was produced from 1992 to 2009, was a childhood staple and introduced viewers to Barney, an imaginary and perpetually optimistic tyrannosaurus rex that teaches lessons about friendship through song and dance.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
Lee’s followers deemed her the female Jesus Christ, and her worshippers prayed through song and dance, hence her story getting the musical biopic treatment.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for song and dance
Articles Related to 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 23 Mar. 2025.
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