instrument

accompany (one)

1. To travel with one. This phrase can be used in reference to both people and things. While I enjoy spending time alone, I sometimes wish I had someone to accompany me on vacations. Pete's dog was more than happy to accompany him to the park. My cell phone always accompanies me when I leave the house.

2. To play a musical instrument in support of a featured band or performer. While her little sister played the flute, Sarah accompanied her on the clarinet. Will you accompany me on piano when I sing at the talent show? No, you don't get a solo—you're just supposed to be accompanying me while I sing!

See also: accompany

accompany (one) with (some instrument)

To play a musical instrument in support of a featured band or performer. I need someone to accompany me with piano when I sing at the talent show. While her little brother played the flute, Sarah accompanied him with the clarinet. No, you don't get a solo—you're just accompanying me with guitar!

See also: accompany

the law of the instrument

The inability to recognize other possible outcomes or solutions if one relies too much on a particular tool, method, or mindset. The term refers to 20th-century psychologist Abraham Maslow and his idea that "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." The trouble with these Freudian scholars is that they don't realize some things can be taken at face value. The law of the instrument is a real problem.

See also: instrument, law, of

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

accompany someone on a musical instrument

to provide complementary instrumental music for someone's musical performance. Sally accompanied the singer on the piano.

See also: accompany, instrument, musical, on

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.