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dance to a tune

Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:40 pm
by pitstop
Hi,

Right now I'm trying to translate a movie sub-title and I need help. In a dialogue that a kid defends his father's political views against his teacher whom he sees as a renegade, he says that his father "wasn't one to dance to any old tune". Is that a saying or not? And if it is, then what does it mean? I would really appreciate your help.

Very nice forum by the way...

Re: Help needed for an English saying.

Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 12:06 pm
by Joe
It's an idiom. If I dance to your tune I do what you tell me to do. I obey you without thinking.

In this idiom "tune" means music, so if you play waltz music then I will waltz, if you play rock 'n roll music then I will rock 'n roll.

The father preferred to choose his own music, or political affiliation.

Re: Help needed for an English saying.

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:20 pm
by pitstop
Thank's a lot Joseph, it's been really helpfull.