mic
Microphone, especially in casual speech
A short, casual word for a microphone, the device you speak or sing into.
- Can you move closer to the mic so we can hear you?
- The singer dropped the mic and walked offstage.
- Make sure the mic is turned on before you start talking.
- He adjusted the mic stand to match his height.
- We need another wireless mic for the host.
- Please speak into the mic.
- The man holds the mic and sings.
- Is this mic working?
- She puts the mic on the table.
- They share one mic for the song.
To put a microphone on someone
To put a microphone on a person or thing so their sound can be heard or recorded.
to mic [someone/something] (up)
- They need to mic the actors before the show starts.
- We decided to mic the audience to capture their reactions.
- The sound engineer will mic up the drummer separately.
- For this scene, we’ll mic the room instead of each person.
- Make sure you mic the speaker close to their mouth to reduce noise.
- The crew will mic the singer before the concert.
- They mic the teacher so the class can hear.
- We must mic the room to record the talk.
- He helps to mic up the guest.
- They did not mic the child, so we cannot hear her.
Chance or role to speak/perform
Someone’s turn or chance to speak or perform with the microphone.
- It’s your turn, take the mic and introduce yourself.
- She’s incredible on the mic and always gets the crowd excited.
- He grabbed the mic and started a freestyle rap.
- After the host finished, he passed the mic to the next speaker.
- Let’s share the mic so everyone gets a chance to talk.
- He takes the mic and starts to talk.
- She is very funny when she is on the mic.
- The host gives the mic to the next person.
- Please pass the mic to her.
- They all want the mic, but there is only one.
Microphone input on equipment
The place or channel on audio equipment where you plug in a microphone.
- Plug the cable into the mic input on the mixer.
- The mic level on channel one is too high.
- Make sure you’re not using the line input instead of the mic jack.
- Each mic channel has its own volume and EQ controls.
- This audio interface only has one mic preamp.
- Plug the mic into the mic jack.
- Turn down the mic level; it is too loud.
- This box has two mic inputs.
- I cannot find the mic port on my laptop.
- That button controls the mic channel.
- Base: mic
- Plural: mics
- Base: mic
- 3rd Person Singular: mics
- Present Participle: micing
- Past: miced
- Past Participle: miced
cut the mic
1Turn off someone’s microphone
To turn off a microphone so that the person using it cannot be heard.
- They cut the mic when he started to swear on live TV.
- If we run over time, just cut my mic.
- The director yelled at the crew to cut the mic immediately.
grab the mic
1Quickly take the microphone to speak
To take the microphone, often quickly or confidently, so you can speak, rap, sing, or perform.
- She grabbed the mic and started an impromptu speech.
- Rappers were invited to grab the mic and freestyle.
- He loves to grab the mic at family parties and tell long stories.
hot mic
1Microphone left on by mistake
A microphone that is on and sending sound when the person speaking thinks it is off, often catching private or unplanned words.
- The politician was caught on a hot mic making rude comments.
- Be careful, your mic is hot and everyone can hear you.
- The host didn’t realize it was a hot mic situation.
mic check
1Testing if a microphone works
A short test to see if a microphone is working and if the volume is good before a show, speech, or recording.
- We’ll do a quick mic check before we start the panel.
- You can hear the host saying, "Mic check, one, two" on the recording.
- The band is running late, but sound has already finished the mic check.
mic drop
1Dramatic gesture after a strong point
An action, or a way to talk about an action, where someone ends a speech, joke, or comment in a very strong way, as if they drop a microphone and walk away because nothing more needs to be said.
- He ended his presentation with a real mic drop moment.
- Her final line was such a mic drop that the room went silent.
- The tweet was basically a political mic drop.
on the mic
1Speaking or performing into a microphone
Speaking, rapping, singing, or hosting while using a microphone.
- Tonight we’ve got Jenna on the mic hosting the event.
- He sounds nervous on the mic but very confident offstage.
- She’s much funnier on the mic than in casual conversation.
open mic
1Event where anyone can perform
A show in a bar, club, or similar place where regular people, not only professionals, can come and perform using a microphone.
- She tries out her new jokes at a local open mic.
- The café hosts an open mic every Thursday night.
- He first performed his songs at an open mic in college.
open mic night
1Evening event where anyone can perform
A night at a bar, club, café, or similar place where anyone can sign up to perform comedy, music, poetry, or other acts using a microphone.
- We met at an open mic night at a small bar downtown.
- The comedy club’s open mic night is every Wednesday.
- She uses open mic nights to practice new songs.
pass the mic
1Give someone else the chance to speak
To give the microphone to another person, or more generally to let another person speak or lead the conversation.
- I’ll pass the mic to our next guest.
- The host passed the mic around so everyone could introduce themselves.
- It’s time to pass the mic and hear from younger voices.
step up to the mic
1Begin speaking or performing in public
To go to the microphone and start speaking or performing; also, to accept a public role or responsibility where you have to speak or lead.
- Don’t be shy, step up to the mic and share your idea.
- She finally stepped up to the mic and told her side of the story.
- New leaders need to step up to the mic and address these problems.