song

*for a song

Fig. cheaply. (As if the singing of a song were payment. *Typically: buy something ~; get something ~; pick up someone ~.) No one else wanted it, so I picked it up for a song. I could buy this house for a song, because it's so ugly.

go into a song and dance (about something) and go into the same old song and dance about something

Fig. to start repeating excuses or stories about something. Please don't go into your song and dance about how you always tried to do what was right. John went into his song and dance about how he won the war all by himself. He always goes into the same old song and dance every time he makes a mistake.

See also: and, dance

sell something for a song

Fig. to sell something for very little money. (As in trading something of value for the singing of a song.) I had to sell my car for a song because I needed the money in a hurry. I have two geometry books and I would sell one of them for a song.

See also: sell

swan song

Fig. the last work or performance of a playwright, musician, actor, etc., before death or retirement. His portrayal of Lear was the actor's swan song. We didn't know that her performance last night was the singer's swan song.

See also: swan

---

a song and dance  (American)

a long and complicated statement or story, especially one that is not true (usually + about ) She gave me some song and dance about her kids always being sick and not being able to get to the meetings.

See also: and, dance

be on song  (British)

to be playing or performing well Ravanelli looked a bit tired in last Saturday's match but he's certainly on song tonight.

for a song

very cheaply This is one of my favourite pieces of furniture and I got it for a song in a market. Property prices have come right down - houses are going for a song (= being sold very cheaply) at the moment.

make a song and dance about something/doing something   (British & Australian)

to make something seem more important than it really is so that everyone notices it I only asked her to move her car but she made such a song and dance about it. He made a real song and dance about giving up meat.

See also: and, dance, make

---

for a song

very cheaply Land in the territory could be bought for a song in those days.