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
Once the Israelites were safe, Miriam, Moses' sister, led a group of women in gleeful song and dance.
—Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025
The warmth between the three leads is believable and although the tendency to have Lane, Bomer and Graham break into choreographed song and dance routines for episodic climaxes quickly feels lazy, a cold open homage to Chicago produced my biggest laugh of the 10-episode season.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
This is all a familiar song and dance: Ambitious ideas about reducing health care spending quickly run into political reality, which includes heavy backlash from the health care industry.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Chita Rivera onstage originated the role of Aurora/Ingrid who Lopez now struts on screen in vibrant song and dance.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025
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Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025
The warmth between the three leads is believable and although the tendency to have Lane, Bomer and Graham break into choreographed song and dance routines for episodic climaxes quickly feels lazy, a cold open homage to Chicago produced my biggest laugh of the 10-episode season.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
This is all a familiar song and dance: Ambitious ideas about reducing health care spending quickly run into political reality, which includes heavy backlash from the health care industry.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Chita Rivera onstage originated the role of Aurora/Ingrid who Lopez now struts on screen in vibrant song and dance.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Mar. 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 14 Apr. 2025.
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