theme

a variation on the theme of (something)

A different or unique way of doing, saying, or presenting something that has been done in the past. The new restaurant offers a variation on the theme of the roadside diner, giving patrons haute-cuisine interpretations of greasy spoon staples. When asked why, his answer was a variation on the theme of "bigger is better." The anthology series presents variations on the themes of classic genre tropes, such as westerns, Gothic thrillers, rom-coms, and even old cheesy B movies.

See also: of, on, theme, variation

variation on a theme

cliché That which is only slightly different from others of the same type that have been repeatedly done or said. The problem with these annual smartphone upgrades is that they only ever represent variations on a theme. There simply isn't enough development time to introduce truly meaningful changes, nor do the manufacturers want to stray too far from what made the models popular in the first place. Cyber security experts are warning that this new phishing attempt is yet another variation on a theme that has been around for years—someone purporting to be an official from your bank, trying to access personal details that would give them control of your account. Their latest brand of political attacks are just variations on a theme that we've heard since the late '90s.

See also: on, theme, variation

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

variations on the theme of something

different ways of doing or saying the same thing: Her new book of short stories offers variations on the theme of man’s desire to succeed.

See also: of, on, something, theme, variation

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017