can't carry a tune in a bucket
Meaning: Sings very badly.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “I love singing in the shower, but I can't carry a tune in a bucket.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: "Carry a tune" means to sing in key; the bucket adds comic exaggeration. American English from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Chanter comme une casserole — literally: To sing like a syringe / like a saucepan
More idioms — Daily Life
- a smash hit — To be a huge success.
- firing on all cylinders — Working at full power and efficiency.
- by the bucketload — In large quantities.
- trouble in paradise — Problems in a relationship or situation that seemed perfect.
- no ifs, ands, or buts — Without any excuses or exceptions.
- fall on hard times — To become poor or suffer misfortune.
More English idioms
- beat someone to a pulp — To beat someone very severely.
- strong as an ox — Very strong.
- a nasty piece of work — An unpleasant, cruel or dishonest person.
- holy cow! — An exclamation of surprise.
- good riddance — Said when one is glad to be rid of someone or something.
- go through the wringer — To go through a very hard experience.
From our compliments & insults
- Bête comme ses pieds — Really not very bright.
- Avoir un poil dans la main — To be incurably lazy.
- Tête de linotte — A scatterbrain who can't hold a thought.