Background
When Matron told Alice that someone was 'singing' her 'praises' she meant that someone was complimenting Alice and saying good things about her.
Here are some common expressions and idioms about singing, music and musical instruments.
Idioms about music
face the music
accept criticism or the consequences for something you have done
Example: When the corruption scandal broke the prime minister had to face the music and resign.
be music to someone's ears
be something that someone is very pleased to hear
Example: After 18 hours in labour, the first cry of my first-born was music to my ears.
change your tune
change your mind completely, especially because you know it will bring you an advantage
Example: She changed her tune as soon as she heard the boss's new plan for global business. So much for her ideals of keeping the company small, local and specialised!
make a song and dance about something
make something seem more important than it really is so that everyone takes notice of it
Example: There's no need to make a song and dance about it. I only asked you to stay a little bit later this evening to help me finish the report.
and all that jazz
(informal) and other similar things, and things like that
The beach is great there. They have sunbeds, tennis courts, boats for hire and all that jazz.
strike a chord
makes people approve or agree with something
Example: In the middle of this economic crisis, this feel-good film has struck a chord with almost everyone. When times are tough, we all want a bit of escapism in the cinema.
it ain't / it's not over till the fat lady sings
don't assume you know the outcome of an activity until it has actually finished
Example: With only 15 minutes to go, the Blues are in front, four goals to one. So I think we know who's going to win here. But it's not over till the fat lady sings. So stayed tune till the final whistle goes.
Musical instruments
fiddle
(informal) violin, a wooden musical instrument with four strings, which is played by moving a bow across the strings
trumpet
a brass musical instrument with a metal tube with one narrow end, into which the player blows, and one wide end. Three buttons are pressed in order to change notes
Idioms about musical instruments
be fit as a fiddle
be very healthy and strong
Example: Two weeks after the operation, my grandma was back out playing golf. She's really amazing. She's 75 and as fit as a fiddle.
blow your own trumpet
tell everyone proudly about your achievements
Example: We all know she got a first-class honours degree. I just wish she'd stop blowing her own trumpet about it.
Vocabulary
- feedback
information about how well someone is performing in a job (or not)
- be off the phone
finish a phone conversation
- put it into the mix
if you put something in the mix, you think about it or consider it
- revisiting your application
thinking about your request again
- stretched
understaffed, not having enough nurses to do all the work in the ward
- synchronicity
the chance happening of two or more related or similar events at the same time (here, Alice coming to see the Matron and Matron unexpectedly getting a very good report about Alice)
