tin ear

(redirected from a tin ear)

tin ear

1. A lack of musical ability, especially in relation to proper pitch. Unfortunately, most karaoke singers have a tin ear.
2. The inability to recognize subtleties in language. Don't try to joke around with him—he has a tin ear and can't distinguish sarcasm.
See also: ear, tin

tin ear

Fig. a poor ear for music; a poor hearing ability when it comes to music and distinguishing pitches. I think I had better not try to sing along with you. I have a tin ear and would ruin your performance.
See also: ear, tin

tin ear

An insensitivity to conditions. The term, dating from the first half of the 1900s, was originally used for a person insensitive to music, in effect tone-deaf. In time, it was transferred to other kinds of insensitivity, as in “The President might also point out that BP is not on Americans’ most-trusted corporations list right now—partly because of its carelessness, partly because of its executive’s tin ear” (editorial, New York Times, June 12, 2010).
See also: ear, tin
References in periodicals archive ?
She has repeatedly shown she has a tin ear to the needs of those who rely on the state the most.
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Ginny, 10, says, "My mom loves music, so she makes us kids play at least two instruments." Cool, unless you have a tin ear or prefer pottery.
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Bayles has already declared that I am "a fool with a tin ear" for loving the Ramones, and I'm sure she considers my inability to enjoy most jazz a sign of ignorance or spiritual corruption on my part.
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Encouraged by her ex husband (Hugh Grant) and with her wealth meaning few will challenge her, the wouldbe superstar with a tin ear gears up for the performance of her life at Carnegie Hall.
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The more troubling shortcoming of the book is the fact that, despite its acknowledgment of the social and historical circumstances that inform the parallels it explores, Up from Bondage shows a tin ear for real politics throughout.
Up from Bondage: The literatures of Russian and African American Soul
Encouraged by her ex husband (Hugh Grant) and with her wealth meaning few will challenge her, the would-be superstar with a tin ear gears up for the performance of her life at Carnegie Hall.
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