have a tin ear

1. To lack musical ability, especially in relation to proper pitch. Unfortunately, most karaoke singers have a tin ear. Who let Grandpa get up and sing? Everyone knows he has a tin ear. What was your first clue that Marie had a tin ear—the dog howling as soon as she started singing?

2. To be unable to recognize subtleties in language. Don't try to joke around with him—he has a tin ear and can't distinguish sarcasm. Dang, am I just not funny, or does everyone here have a tin ear? A: "But I've dropped so many hints, Mom! He must not like me like that." B: "What if he just has a tin ear and isn't picking up what you're putting down?"

See also: ear, have, tin

have a tin ear

1. If someone has a tin ear, they are not able to hear and understand music well. Some people may have a tin ear but everybody has at least a basic sense of rhythm. Note: You can also say that people have a tin ear for other things that you have to listen to in order to understand them. For a playwright, he has a tin ear for dialogue.

2. If someone has a tin ear for something, they do not understand it fully. Nothing in her past suggests anything other than a tin ear for democratic politics. Compare with have an ear for something.

See also: ear, have, tin

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

have a tin ear

be tone-deaf.

See also: ear, have, tin

have a tin ˈear (for something)

(informal) be unable to hear the difference between musical notes or to enjoy music: Even those of us with a tin ear can recognize a waltz.

See also: ear, have, tin

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