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change one tune

 - 2 dictionary results

tune

[toon, tyoon] noun, verb, tuned, tun⋅ing.
–noun
1. a succession of musical sounds forming an air or melody, with or without the harmony accompanying it.
2. a musical setting of a hymn, poem, psalm, etc., usually in four-part harmony.
3. the state of being in the proper pitch: to be in tune.
4. agreement in pitch; unison; harmony.
5. proper adjustment, as of radio instruments or circuits with respect to frequency.
6. harmonious relationship; accord; agreement.
7. Archaic. frame of mind; mood.
8. Obsolete. a tone or sound.
–verb (used with object)
9. to adjust (a musical instrument) to a correct or given standard of pitch (often fol. by up).
10. to adapt (the voice, song, etc.) to a particular tone, to the expression of a particular feeling, or the like.
11. to bring (someone or something) into harmony.
12. to adjust (a motor, mechanism, or the like) for proper functioning.
13. Radio and Television.
a. to adjust (a circuit, frequency, or the like) so as to bring it into resonance with another circuit, a given frequency, or the like.
b. to adjust (a receiving apparatus) so as to make it compatible in frequency with a transmitting apparatus whose signals are to be received.
c. to adjust (a receiving apparatus) so as to receive the signals of a particular transmitting station.
14. to put into or cause to be in a receptive condition, mood, etc.; bring into harmony or agreement.
15. Archaic.
a. to utter, sound, or express musically.
b. to play upon (a lyre).
–verb (used without object)
16. to put a musical instrument in tune (often fol. by up).
17. to give forth a musical sound.
18. to be in harmony or accord; become responsive.
19. tune in, to adjust a radio or television set so as to receive (signals, a particular station, etc.).
20. tune out,
a. to adjust a radio or television set so as to stop or avoid receiving (a station or channel).
b. Slang. to stop paying attention to a person, situation, etc.
21. tune up,
a. to cause a group of musical instruments to be brought to the same pitch.
b. to begin to sing.
c. to bring into proper operating order, as a motor: Before starting on our trip we should have the car tuned up.
22. call the tune, to decide matters of policy; control: He was technically running the business, but his father still called the tune.
23. change one's tune, to reverse one's views; change one's mind: She changed her tune about children when she married and had her own.
24. sing a different tune, to be forced to change one's ways, attitude, behavior, etc.: He will sing a different tune when he has to earn his own money.
25. to the tune of, Informal. in or about the amount of: In order to expand, they will need capital to the tune of six million dollars.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME (n.); unexplained var. of tone


14. harmonize, balance. 17. chime.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

tune  (n.)
1387, "a musical sound, a succession of musical notes," unexplained variant of tone. Meaning "state of being in proper pitch" is from 1440; the verb in this sense is recorded from 1505. Non-musical meaning "to adjust an organ or receiver" is recorded from 1887. Verbal phrase tune in in ref. to radio (later also TV) is recorded from 1913; fig. sense of "become aware" is recorded from 1926. Tune out "to eliminate radio reception" is recorded from 1908; fig. sense of "disregard, stop heeding" is from 1928. Tunesmith is a U.S. colloquial coinage first recorded 1926.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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