ivories
C1Informal, Humorous, Idiomatic
Definition
Meaning
Piano keys, traditionally made from elephant ivory.
Used idiomatically to refer to a piano or the act of playing it. Less commonly, can refer to teeth or billiard balls made historically from ivory, but this is archaic.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a plural noun with no singular form in this sense. Its use is almost entirely figurative/metonymical, referring to the piano via its keys. It carries a slightly dated or playful connotation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and understanding of the idiom are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of old-fashioned charm or informal musicality.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects; understood but rarely used in contemporary speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + tickle/pound/hammer + the + ivoriesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tickle the ivories (to play the piano, especially in a skilful or lively way)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation about music or hobbies. 'My grandfather still loves to tickle the ivories.'
Technical
Not used in formal musicology; 'piano keys' or 'keyboard' is preferred.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He can play the piano.
- The piano has black and white keys.
- After dinner, she went to the old upright and tickled the ivories for a while.
- The ivories on that vintage piano have yellowed with age.
- A seasoned jazzman, he could make those ivories sing with just a few improvised chords.
- The pub's atmosphere was lifted by an old-timer casually pounding the ivories in the corner.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old, elegant piano with yellowing white keys. Someone is 'tickling' them playfully, making music. The keys are smooth like ivory tusks.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PIANO IS ITS KEYS (Pars pro toto: a part representing the whole).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'слоновая кость'. In the musical idiom, it refers specifically to the piano or its keys, not the material itself.
- Do not confuse with the singular 'ivory' (цвет слоновой кости). 'Ivories' is a fixed plural noun in this context.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ivory' singular to mean piano (incorrect: 'He plays the ivory').
- Confusing it with the adjective 'ivory' (e.g., ivory tower).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'tickle the ivories' primarily mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency, idiomatic word. Most people say 'piano' or 'keys'. 'Ivories' is used for a playful or old-fashioned effect.
Historically, yes, because teeth were compared to ivory. However, this usage is now very archaic and rarely encountered. In modern English, 'ivories' almost exclusively refers to piano keys.
Because a piano has many keys. It's a pluralia tantum noun in this sense, like 'scissors' or 'trousers'. You wouldn't refer to a single key as 'an ivory' in this context.
The term originates from a time when piano keys were made from elephant tusks. Modern piano keys are plastic. The idiom is now a dead metaphor, and its use is not generally considered offensive, as it references the historical object, not the material trade.