tin ear

American  

noun

1. an insensitivity to melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic variety in music.

2. an insensitivity to subtlety or appropriateness in verbal expression.

   a tin ear for clear, precise prose.

3. cauliflower ear.

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Etymology

Origin of tin ear

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

“There are so many ways to ease the grief for the Jewish community in Bondi, without having a tin ear for the rest of multicultural Australia.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Speaking to the BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason, Mr Shapps warned Ms Truss not to have a "tin ear" to voters' concerns about rising living costs and to do a U-turn as soon as possible.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2022

The credits underline the tin ear of the whole endeavor by declaring that Anne “became what she wanted: world-famous.”

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2022

“That shows a tin ear, at best, given the current climate,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 29, 2017

Even his bicycle has been saved, and the tin ear trumpet, nearly two feet long, which poor deaf Konstantin used to hold up to his ear for his students to speak into.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins