chin music: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (idiomatic); Very Low (baseball)Informal, Colloquial; Archaic (sporting)
Quick answer
What does “chin music” mean?
Idiom: talk or conversation, especially when trivial, aimless, or excessive.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Idiom: talk or conversation, especially when trivial, aimless, or excessive.
Idiom (Baseball slang, archaic): A pitch thrown near the batter's head or chin, intended to intimidate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The idiom is understood in both dialects. The baseball-specific meaning is almost exclusively American, given the sport's prevalence.
Connotations
In general use, often implies slightly pointless or overly familiar chatter.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary UK speech. Slightly more likely in older, informal US contexts, but still uncommon.
Grammar
How to Use “chin music” in a Sentence
He gave us [some chin music] about his holiday.I don't have time for [all that chin music].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used negatively to describe unproductive meetings or off-topic talk. 'Let's skip the chin music and get to the figures.'
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used to dismiss or characterize light, informal talk. 'We shared a coffee and a bit of chin music.'
Technical
In historical baseball commentary, refers to a brushback pitch.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chin music”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chin music”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chin music”
- Using it to refer to actual music or a genre.
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it is a modern, common phrase.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is exclusively an idiom for talk or a historical baseball term.
No, it is considered somewhat dated or niche. It is more likely to be encountered in older films, books, or historical sports discussions.
It can be mildly dismissive or patronising, implying their talk is trivial. Context and tone are crucial.
The 'music' is a metaphor for the sound of the voice/jaw moving during speech. It compares idle talk to pleasant but insubstantial background noise.
Idiom: talk or conversation, especially when trivial, aimless, or excessive.
Chin music is usually informal, colloquial; archaic (sporting) in register.
Chin music: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɪn ˈmjuːzɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɪn ˈmjuːzɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Chin music (idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone talking so much their chin is moving like a musician playing an instrument—making 'music' with their chin.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDLE TALK IS BACKGROUND NOISE / INCONSEQUENTIAL ACTIVITY IS ENTERTAINMENT
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you hear 'chin music' used in its original, technical sense?