Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

song-and-dance

noun

/ˈsɔŋ ənd ˈdæns/

Definition

A performance that involves both singing and dancing, often used to entertain an audience.

Examples

During the variety show, there was a fantastic song-and-dance number that left the audience cheering.
The politician’s speech turned into a bit of a song-and-dance, filled with promises but lacking specifics.
She trained hard for the song-and-dance routine in the upcoming musical.

Meaning

The term refers to a theatrical performance combining vocal music and choreographed movements, but it is also used metaphorically to describe excessive fuss or an elaborate explanation without substance.