# have Van Gogh's ear for music

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-van-goghs-ear-for-music
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be tone-deaf.

## Examples

- I cannot sing because I have Van Gogh's ear for music.
- Do not ask him to join the choir, as he truly has Van Gogh's ear for music.
- Despite his deep appreciation for the arts, he unfortunately has Van Gogh's ear for music and cannot carry a simple tune.

## Origin

Van Gogh (a painter, not a musician) is famed for cutting off his own ear. The phrase is attributed to Billy Wilder.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.