Tin ear    (pronounced tin eer) noun


Definition

1. an insensitivity to differences in musical pitch.    2. an insensitivity to a given kind of sound, speech, tone, expression, etc.; lacking subtlety.

Main Example

  • The remarks of Gregory Mankiw, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, who recently said that the outsourcing of jobs to India and China is good for the U.S. economy in the long run, have drawn an outpouring of criticism. Analysts say that while Mankiw is correct from the standpoint of economic theory, he seems to have a tin ear because his comments are inappropriate at a time when the U.S. is struggling with joblessness.

    Workplace Examples

  • The audience was already fidgety and restless, so Shawna should have immediately switched to something more interesting. Instead, she launched into the most technical part of her presentation, boring her non-technical listeners even further! Within minutes, half of the participants had fled. Shawna seems to have a tin ear when it comes to reading her audience.

    Master the Five Techniques of Highly Effective Communicators

  • Herb is one of the smartest guys in our group, but every once in a while he shows a tin ear for people's reaction to his stories and jokes. That wasn't the first time he spoke in a sexist way and offended some of the women.

    Other Examples

  • your commenting to a fellow club member: "It appears that Jeff, our new president, is running the show with a tin ear. This is the third time he has had to backtrack because of resistance from members. If I were him and had a brain wave, I would first test the idea with a few members before implementing it."

  • somebody with a tin ear for people's feelings

  • Paul O'Neill, highly respected for his management skills and integrity, losing his job as Treasury Secretary because, all too often, he displayed a tin ear for politics: his off-the-cuff comments to the media about the economy and the Bush tax-cut plan frequently embarrassed the White House

    © 2004 V.J. Singal

    This Month's Other Words

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    Tin Ear
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    Engender
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    Pernicious
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