tune
a melody or simple song
A group of musical notes that sound nice together and are easy to remember, like a song or melody.
a tune
- I can't get that catchy tune out of my head.
- The band played a slow tune while people danced.
- She hummed a little tune as she washed the dishes.
- Do you remember the theme tune from that old TV show?
- He whistled a happy tune on his way to work.
- This tune is very easy to sing.
- I like the tune of this song.
- He can play many tunes on the piano.
- She sings the same tune every morning.
- The children learned a new tune at school.
adjust an instrument's pitch
To change a musical instrument so that every note sounds right.
to tune [an instrument]
- Give me a minute to tune the guitar before we start.
- The piano hasn't been tuned in years and sounds terrible.
- She tuned her violin backstage before the concert.
- You should tune your instrument every time you play with a band.
- The technician comes twice a year to tune the church organ.
- He is tuning his guitar now.
- The piano sounds bad; we must tune it.
- Please tune your violin before the lesson.
- She knows how to tune a guitar.
- I need to tune this old piano.
adjust a machine for best performance
To change small settings on a machine so it works better or finds the right signal.
to tune [a machine/device/system]
- The mechanic tuned the engine to improve fuel efficiency.
- Make sure you tune the radio to the right frequency.
- The team spent weeks tuning the software for better performance.
- This car has a finely tuned suspension for racing.
- You can tune the microphone settings to reduce background noise.
- He tuned the radio to a local station.
- The garage tuned my car last week.
- They tuned the engine before the race.
- You can tune the TV to a new channel.
- She tuned the sound system for the concert.
adjust to suit people or context
To change a plan, message, or idea so it fits a special group of people or a situation better.
to tune [something] to [someone/something]
- We need to tune our marketing message to younger customers.
- The speech was carefully tuned to the international audience.
- Teachers should tune their lessons to the needs of the class.
- The policy is tuned to support small businesses.
- They tuned the website content to local cultural expectations.
- The ad was tuned to young people.
- She tuned her talk to a non-technical crowd.
- They tuned the plan to the local market.
- You should tune your style to the company culture.
- The class was tuned to beginner students.
usual attitude or way of talking
Someone's normal way of speaking or feeling about something, especially when it always sounds the same or suddenly becomes different.
someone's tune about [something]
- He kept complaining about the project, but he changed his tune after the bonus was announced.
- It's the same old tune from management about budget cuts.
- She softened her tune once she saw the final results.
- You'll be singing a different tune when you see the price.
- Their tune about remote work has changed since productivity went up.
- He was angry, but he changed his tune later.
- I am tired of his same old tune about money.
- She may sing a different tune tomorrow.
- Their tune about the plan is more positive now.
- After the win, the coach's tune was very different.
- Base: tune
- Plural: tune, tunes
- Base: tune
- 3rd Person Singular: tunes
- Present Participle: tuning
- Past: tuned
call the tune
1be the person in control
To be the person who has control and makes the important decisions.
- In this company, the investors call the tune.
- Who really calls the tune in that relationship?
- If you pay for the project, you get to call the tune.
carry a tune
1be able to sing in tune
To be able to sing notes at the right pitch so it sounds okay.
- I can't carry a tune, but I love karaoke.
- She may be shy, but she can really carry a tune.
- He jokes that he can’t carry a tune in a bucket.
change your tune
1suddenly change attitude or opinion
To start talking or feeling very differently about something, often after something happens.
- He said he hated the idea, but he changed his tune after the boss approved it.
- You'll change your tune when you see how much it costs.
- She changed her tune about online learning once she tried it.
dance to someone's tune
1do exactly what someone wants
To do what another person wants, often because they have power or money.
- The smaller companies had to dance to the big retailer's tune.
- He refuses to dance to anyone else's tune.
- They are dancing to the donors' tune on this issue.
in tune
1having correct musical pitch
Singing or playing notes at the correct pitch so they sound right together.
- Make sure the guitar is in tune before you record.
- Her voice is always perfectly in tune.
- The choir sounded much better once everyone was in tune.
in tune with
1in agreement or harmony
Having ideas, feelings, or actions that match or agree well with someone or something.
- The company needs to be in tune with its customers' needs.
- She feels very in tune with nature when she hikes alone.
- His views are in tune with public opinion.
out of tune
1not at correct musical pitch
Singing or playing notes at the wrong pitch so they sound bad or wrong together.
- The piano is badly out of tune.
- He was so nervous that he sang out of tune.
- Several violins were out of tune during the performance.
sing a different tune
1express a very different attitude
To speak or act in a very different way from before, usually because the situation has changed.
- He was against the plan, but he sang a different tune after getting promoted.
- They'll be singing a different tune if the project fails.
- Once the money arrived, the landlord started singing a different tune.
to the tune of
1amounting to (large sum of money)
Used before an amount of money to show it is a large or exact amount.
- They invested to the tune of two million dollars.
- He was fined to the tune of $5,000.
- She donated to the tune of several thousand euros.
tune in
1set device to a station
To set a radio, TV, or similar device so it receives a particular station or program.
- Millions of people tune in to watch the show every week.
- You can tune in to the local station at 101.3 FM.
- Don't forget to tune in at eight o'clock tonight.
tune in to
1become aware and pay attention
To start noticing and understanding something or someone, and pay close attention to it.
- Teachers need to tune in to their students' feelings.
- It took me a while to tune in to the way people think here.
- She quickly tuned in to the main issues in the discussion.
tune out
1stop paying attention
To stop listening to or thinking about something, especially because it is boring or stressful.
- I just tune out when he starts talking about politics.
- She put on headphones to tune out the noise.
- He tends to tune out during long meetings.
tune up
1prepare an instrument, car, or body
To make small changes to an instrument, car, or even your body so it is ready to work or perform well.
- The band tuned up before going on stage.
- I need to have my car tuned up before winter.
- Runners are tuning up for the marathon this weekend.