violin
A small, high musical instrument with four strings that you hold under your chin and play with a bow.
A high-pitched, four‑stringed musical instrument of the violin family, held under the chin and played with a bow.
- Base: violin
- Plural: violins
first violin
1leading violinist or violin part
The main violin player, or the main violin part, in an orchestra.
- She has just been promoted to first violin in the city orchestra.
- The first violin has a difficult solo in this piece.
- He sat in the first violin section during the performance.
on the violin
1using the violin as instrument
Using a violin to play a piece of music or a part.
- Tonight she will be on the violin and he will be on the piano.
- Who is on the violin for this recording?
- My sister is on the violin in our school band.
play (someone) like a violin
1manipulate someone very easily
To control or trick someone very easily because you understand them so well.
- The salesman played him like a violin and sold him things he didn’t need.
- She knows his weaknesses and can play him like a violin.
- If you don't learn to say no, people will play you like a violin.
play the violin
1perform music on the violin
To make music by using a violin.
- She learned to play the violin from her grandfather.
- I can't play the violin, but I love listening to it.
- He plays the violin in a local orchestra.
second violin
1supporting violinist or violin part
A violin player, or violin part, in the second section of violins, usually playing a supporting role in an orchestra.
- He started in the second violin section before moving up.
- The second violin part adds harmony under the melody.
- Most students begin on second violin in the youth orchestra.
world's smallest violin
1mocking someone's complaint as trivial
Said to show that you think someone’s complaint or sadness is not important, and you do not feel sorry for them.
- He started whining about having to work late, and she just said, "Aww, let me play the world's smallest violin for you."
- Whenever I complain about my job, my brother pulls out the world's smallest violin.
- "World's smallest violin," she joked, clearly not taking his problems seriously.