false note
The term "false note" can be applied in both musical and idiomatic contexts to describe discordance or inappropriateness.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2Music
(technical)A note that is incorrect or out of harmony with the surrounding notes, creating a discordant sound.
Example
- The pianist hit a false note, disrupting the flow of the melody.
C1Narrative and Discourse
(idiomatic)An indication of untruth, insincerity, or inconsistency detected by the listener or reader.
Example
- Her explanation struck a false note with the audience, who felt she was hiding something.
C1Non-Verbal Display
(idiomatic)An element in a display or presentation that seems incongruous or inappropriate.
Example
- The extravagant decoration in the otherwise simple room struck a false note.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "false note":
blue notegrace notehigh noteout of tunetop notefalse stepfalse loanfalse scentnota benefalse negative